He felt that PAS would not join Mahathir’s initiative, which has been welcomed by other opposition leaders, because there were some opposition leaders who, he said, were not respectful of Islam.

Noh Omar made no direct reference to any party. However, the DAP and PAS have been at loggerheads, causing the breakup of the former Pakatan Rakyat coalition, because of PAS’ move to expand shariah court powers to include Islamic criminal penalties.

PAS has since warmed up to Umno, whose support is needed for parliamentary passage of new legislation.

“If there are leaders among the opposition coalition who did not respect Islam and our constitution, I don’t think a party that has principles will join them,” he said.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has said that his party would make a thorough study of Mahathir’s proposal for a new opposition alliance, which the former premier intends to use to force a change of government.