The cooperation between PAS and Bersatu is solid, unlike the relationships among component members of other coalitions, who constantly go at each other, he added.

“There’s no issue (between PAS and Bersatu).

“So our defeat in the recent by-elections cannot be used as an indication of a potential rift,” he told a press conference after a state-level party event at the Bangi Convention Centre.

PN suffered its heaviest defeat in the Mahkota by-election in Johor last week when its candidate, Haizan Jaafar, lost to Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah by a majority of 20,648 votes.

In the Nenggiri by-election in August, BN reclaimed from PN the Kelantan state assembly seat with a majority of 3,352 votes.

Fadhli said the two defeats should not be used as a measure of the people’s support for the opposition because anything can happen in the future.

He said there was nothing extraordinary about losing by-elections and that the general election is where the real game is played.

“Perhaps after this, we will win the general election, who knows,” he said.

Previously, several political analysts were of the view that PN’s loss in Mahkota could rock the relationship between Bersatu and PAS.

Last week, PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar also played down talk of strained ties between the Islamic party and Bersatu following PN’s drubbing in the Mahkota by-election.

‘Non-Muslims’ lives will not change under PAS’s administration’

Meanwhile, non-Muslim residents should not fear having to alter their lifestyles if PN comes to power in the state or gains control of Putrajaya after the next general election, said Selangor PAS commissioner Ab Halim Tamuri.

He said the party respected the rights of all communities and prioritised the welfare of every race in the country.

“Non-Muslims need not fear PAS – this is our assurance.

“PAS will not interfere with or change their way of life, as it is their right.

“We will ensure PAS and PN focus solely on the welfare of the people,” he said.