Fifty-seven members from various divisions and branches of PAS in Penang have jumped ship to Parti Amanah Negara, the party formed by former PAS leaders.

The group follows their comrades from Selangor and Terengganu who quit the Islamic party last month.

Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who made the announcement in Penang today, said these members have quit the party and let go their posts in the various divisions and branches.

Announcing this in his capacity as Amanah's Penang pro-tem committee chairperson, Mujahid said: "I am confident after this there wil be more who will join us as we have formed pro-tem committees in the 13 parliamentary constituencies in Penang.

"Eighty percent of all constituencies have formed their own committees. We are now processing the application forms which have been handed down to us.

"So far we have 1,000 registered members in Penang, 5,000 forms are currently being printed to cater for more members and by tomorrow, during the national launch of Amanah, the forms will sell like hot bananas."

Mujahid said today is a special day in the Islamic calender - 1hb Zulhijah - where Muslims are encouraged to increase their good deeds and sacrifices, like fasting to prepare for the Aidil’adha celebrations.

He said he was happy that the Penang chapter has launched its existence one day ahead of Amanah's national launch in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow, in conjunction with Malaysia Day.

On possibility of PAS joining the new opposition pact with DAP and PKR, Mujahid said Amanah welcomes all parties that are prepared to accept the new pact's mutually agreed framework.

Asked the relevance of Amanah, which was supposed to replace PAS in the new opposition pact, Mujahid said this situation was no longer valid.