A delegation of 15 members of Persatuan Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia (PasMa), an offshoot of Islamic party PAS, paid a courtesy visit on Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today.

One of those at the meeting at Komtar's 28th floor at 11 this morning said the delegation met Lim to discuss "future collaborations" in the coming 14th general election.

He said the delegation was led by PasMa president and former Kedah state executive councillor Phahrolrazi Mat Zawawi.

During the one-term rule of PAS in Kedah, from 2008 to 2013, Phahrolrazi (right) openly opposed the leadership of then Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak, who died soon after the 13th general election in May 2013.

Penang PasMa chief Zulkifly Md Lazim was also present with the delegation today.

"We raised some issues and discussed strategies for cooperation in the 14th general election with Lim," the source told Malaysiakini.

"Phahrolrazi said PasMa was mulling its establishment as a political party and is ready to be the new partner of DAP and PKR," the source claimed. "We also assured Lim that we are committed to remain in Pakatan Rakyat."

When met, Lim confirmed the meeting took place today, and that he was accompanied by his political secretary Wong Hon Wai.

"The delegation members were from Penang, Kedah, Perak and Kelantan," he said.

Lim said he often welcomes NGO visits to his office but refused to divulge when the session with PasMa today was about.

Aid handed over for Kelantan flood victims

According to Buletin Mutiara, the state government handed over financial aid of RM1.5 million for flood victims in Kelantan through PasMa, which is also an NGO that is helping to restore the Kelantan back to normalcy.

The GE14 is not slated until 2018 but the gap in PAS among its ulama and other members, largely professionals, continue to widen following the Selangor Menteri Besar crisis last year.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang (left) has dismissed the stand of PasMa members that his decision to support sacked Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim was against the spirit of Pakatan.

PKR had wanted to instal its president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the new Selangor menteri besar.

However, on Sept 23 last year, the Selangor ruler decided to appoint PKR deputy president Azmin Ali to replace Khalid.

When contacted, Phahrolrazi said that the delegation had discussed with Lim of a possible future collaboration between PasMa and Pakatan.

He stressed that PasMa is an NGO, denying that it had any intention to form a new political party.

"We want to work together with Pakatan Rakyat as an NGO and will be inviting its leaders to attend our programmes and activities," Phahrolrazi added.

He said it was unfortunate that the PAS leadership has yet to withdraw a circular it sent last year, which prohibited its members from joining the NGO.

"What to do, the leadership have not retracted the letter sent to PAS members, but the members are still joining us," he noted.

Phahrolrazi said that PasMa intends to organise a big dinner in Kuala Lumpur on the 27th this month, and will be inviting Pakatan leaders to attend as well.