KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — PAS had to postpone its cooperation with Umno for the 15th general election not because of enmity but because of certain unresolved issues within their respective parties, according to the Islamist party president.

PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang cited murkiness surrounding some cases of alleged bribery, without providing further details.

"We know there are cases in which a person was accused of receiving bribes, was not guilty but slandered and many more. But it has not been resolved.

"Not that we want to be enemies, no. But because of some turbidity, so we postpone it by taking an approach to clarify the situation,” Sinar Harian reported Abdul Hadi telling reporters in Marang, Terengganu this afternoon.

The incumbent Marang MP was also reported saying that he had been approached by many seeking to persuade him to push for a PAS-Umno tie-up, but he explained that there was no need to be hasty.

"It’s like the durian, no need to be so hasty. If too hasty and the fruit is eaten before it’s fully ripened, the stomach will get bloated.” he was quoted as saying by way of a comparison.

"Let’s clear the situation first. We combine with Perikatan Nasional, reject those who give and take bribes. Invite the good, refuse those who are wrong, even though this is more difficult,” he added.

PAS is a component of the four-party Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition led by Bersatu, another Umno splinter.

PAS reaffirmed its commitment to PN yesterday despite repeated overtures to team up with Umno for the general election, which the Islamist party asserted to be for the sake of the Malay Muslims in the country.

However, Umno has repeatedly said that it will not work with PAS as long as the latter is allied with Bersatu.