Mahfuz Omar has criticised PAS for not sending a representative to the official launch of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) over the weekend.

The PAS lawmaker and former vice-president said the move created the impression that PAS does not want to establish ties with the opposition alliance as desired by the people.

“It was inappropriate for PAS not to send a representative to the function. The people will view this as PAS wanting to isolate itself from the grand coalition among opposition parties.

“This was a mistake,” he told Sinar Harian.

The Pokok Sena MP was the sole PAS leader to attend the event despite the organiser having allocated several seats for the PAS leadership.

Mahfuz said he received an invitation to attend the launch.

“I did not inform the PAS leadership that I was attending (the event). I attended in my personal capacity,” he added.

PAS was once a member of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition together with DAP and PKR.

However, the opposition bloc fell apart after PAS and DAP crossed swords over the Islamic party's theocratic goals.

Following this, PKR, DAP and a PAS splinter party - Parti Amanah Negara - formed a new coalition called Pakatan Harapan.

Bersatu, which was formed by former premier Dr Mahathir Mahathir and ex-deputy premier Muhyiddin Yassin, have inked an electoral pact with Harapan.

PAS has remained adamant on not wanting to cooperate with DAP and Amanah.