The Kuala Terengganu MP said that after the 13th GE, he himself had heard Hadi saying that the party hoped to secure four states after the next polls.

The four states mentioned were Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, and Kedah, said Raja Bahrin, who was a member of PAS before joining Amanah.

“That statement was made just a few weeks after the GE13. I heard it with my own ears. From four states, now it has gone up to five states.

“So I’m not surprised to hear that PAS’ target has gone up from four states to five,” he told reporters when met after Pakatan Harapan’s Felda Convention held at Dewan Jubli Perak Sultan Abdul Aziz here today.

News about PAS’ plans broke after a news portal published a video of Hadi saying among others, that Umno-BN could have the remaining states.

However at an event in Cyberjaya yesterday, Hadi denied this, saying the only goal PAS had at present, was to win 40 parliament seats.

Raja Bahrin, who is Amanah international bureau chief, said if the video published by the portal was accurate, then it proved the existence of political ties between PAS and Umno.

“That’s up to them, but just be honest with the public so PAS’ supporters won’t be confused.

“Are they working together, or are they just friends? After all, Umno is apparently trying to be more Islamic while PAS wants to be more Malay,” he added.

PAS has appeared as more friendly towards Umno under Hadi and the late Haron Din who died last September, following a purge of progressive leaders in the 2015 party elections.

Last month, PAS joined hands with Umno in launching an aid flotilla to help the Rohingya in Myanmar. They also appeared to be working together on Hadi’s proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on the other hand, said he was unsure if Hadi had really made such a statement.

He said that if Hadi had, then he should be thanked for “making it clear how PAS is positioning itself for the next GE”.