The Islamist party has always contested in elections under its own logo since 1977, even when it was part of various opposition coalitions, including Barisan Alternatif, Pakatan Rakyat and Gagasan Sejahtera.

But for the Nov 20 Melaka polls, PAS will enter the fray as part of the current administration.

PN comprises Bersatu, PAS and Gerakan.

There has been some unease about PAS contesting under the PN banner, according to former academic Azmi Hassan.

“This is because Umno had said PAS could use its own logo if the focus was on Muafakat Nasional,” he told FMT, referring to the alliance forged by the country’s two biggest Malay parties in 2019.

PAS has previously said the decision to contest under the PN banner was only for the Melaka polls.

It also justified its decision to do so on grounds it was the most effective strategy to win the polls.

Azmi, however, warned that if PN lost badly to Umno, “it will need to rethink its strategy for the general election”.