The PAS president said his party would only cooperate with Umno and Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the interest of the people.

“We will cooperate with any party in matters that benefit the people.

“(However) we will not form an alliance with Umno,” he told reporters after attending the opening of the first session of the 14th Parliament by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V today.

All the PAS MPs joined most of those from Barisan Nasional (BN) in walking out of the House to protest the manner of appointment of retired Court of Appeal judge Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof as Dewan Rakyat speaker.

They claimed the notice nominating Ariff as speaker was sent to the Dewan Rakyat secretary less than the minimum 14 days before the sitting began as required by the standing orders.

However, three Umno MPs did not join in the walkout. They were former youth and sports minister and ex-Umno Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin (Rembau), former foreign minister Anifah Aman (Kimanis) and Labuan MP Rozman Isli.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad defended the appointment of Ariff and said PH sent his name to Parliament on July 2.

This was confirmed by Dewan Rakyat secretary Roosme Hamzah yesterday.