PUTRAJAYA, May 30 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has today refuted rumours that the federal administration had approached PAS to join the ruling coalition.

Speaking to reporters, Ahmad Zahid said that none of the leaders from the 19 political parties in the unity government has called the move to include the Islamist party during one of its meetings.

"This matter has never been discussed among the 19 leaders in the unity government.

"Even if there’s a meeting between their leaders, we never consider it was an official meeting nor a move towards that direction,” he said after chairing the Committee Meeting of Sports Development Cabinet at the Prime Minister’s Department here.

Citing Muafakat Nasional, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president said that he is personally tired of being affiliated with PAS, especially after the party has failed to realise any of its aspirations.

He also said that none of the parties in the ruling coalition trust the Islamist party, saying PAS has been an untrustworthy political partner.

"So far no party in our circle believes in them... because they have not kept their promises, pledges and charters that they have agreed to,” he added.

Yesterday, it was reported that PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man claimed that representatives from Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim-led government approached the party to join the ruling coalition.

The statement came after PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang had previously claimed that it has been invited to join the government and leave its partner Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in Perikatan Nasional.

Minister of economy and PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, who is among the three involved in PKR negotiations with coalition partners alongside Anwar and Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, had also denied the rumour.