Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia said their concern over the tiff was apparent although none of them has openly spoken up on the matter.

With preparations for the 16th general election under way, she said the smaller parties in IPR would want to see the opposition defeat Pakatan Harapan.

However, they also realise that this goal would be hard to achieve without PAS, she told FMT.

“If the conflict between PAS and Bersatu remains resolved, it would force other parties (in PN and IPR) to choose sides,” she said, adding that the rift in the opposition bloc would ultimately benefit PH and Umno.

Malaysian Advancement Party (MAP) president P Waytha Moorthy recently appealed to all parties within PN, especially the PAS leadership, to continue prioritising unity and the interests of the people.

MAP is among the 11 parties in IPR, which also includes Muda, Gerakan, Mukhriz Mahathir’s Pejuang, Ibrahim Ali’s Putra and P Ramasamy’s Urimai.

Waytha’s remarks came after PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang announced that PAS was reassessing its ties with Bersatu as it considers contesting GE16 without Muhyiddin Yassin’s party.

Akademi Nusantara’s Azmi Hassan said Waytha’s call on PAS reflected how these minor parties in IPR have actually pinned their election hopes on PAS although the loose coalition is spearheaded by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said the polemic between PAS and Bersatu was no longer an internal squabble in PN but had already impacted other opposition parties.

“It’s not just MAP — other parties like Berjasa, Putra and Pejuang are also pinning their hopes on PAS,” said Azmi.

IPR is set to hold its first convention on June 27.