He said PAS had placed emphasis on Islamic shariah even though Malaysia was a multi-ethnic society and the party did not need friends “who think that this cannot be continued, PAS doesn’t need friends like that,” he was quoted as saying today.

Khalid spoke to reporters after attending a PAS function here, one of many PAS events at which he has been seen.

He denied he was joining the Islamic party and explained that he had always had a friendly relationship with PAS members and had enjoyed PAS support from the time he went into politics.

“This I have stated over and over again because when I got into politics, I was supported by PAS like the by-elections in Ijok in 2007,” he said today.

He reiterated that he would end his political career when his current term as MP for Bandar Tun Razak expires in 2018.

Khalid, a well-known corporate figure, came to political prominence when he joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat and was twice chosen as menteri besar of Selangor in 2008 and 2013.

A power struggle in PKR led to his expulsion in 2014 but his government was kept afloat with support from PAS executive councillors after PKR and DAP members withdrew their support. Khalid resigned to allow the Sultan of Selangor to appoint a new menteri besar.