In a Facebook post, Lim said such rumours could mislead voters during the upcoming Sungai Bakap by-election in Penang.

“(It) will be no different from having your body in the unity government whilst your heart is outside,” he said.

Lim also said those trying to create a false impression that DAP is involved in talks to bring PAS into the federal government have deceitful intentions to tarnish the party’s image.

“They (those spreading rumours) have clearly forgotten their (PAS’s) nefarious role just after the 15th general election (GE15) when they were instrumental in trying to put PAS into government by signing statutory declarations (SDs) supporting Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister,” he said.

After GE15 resulted in a hung Parliament, leaders of political parties and coalitions were asked to submit SDs listing the parties and MPs willing to form the government together.

Lim’s remarks come after unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil was reported to have been “non-committal” when asked about discussions on the possibility of PAS joining the government.

Fahmi said there were many discussions between menteris besar from PAS-led states, MPs and the prime minister.

Several PAS leaders have dismissed such claims, with its secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan telling Fahmi to stop twisting perceptions about political opponents.

Similarly, Lim also said rumours of the unity government being in talks with PAS to join the federal government were untrue.

“I had met with my DAP ministers and all of them mentioned that this was never even discussed at the highest level,” he said.