Malaysia's Islamist party is holding its annual assembly for the first time in Pahang, the home state of former prime minister Najib Razak, in what is seen as part of its lofty ambition to control the state jointly with its new partner, Umno, at the next polls.

Next month's muktamar (assembly) of Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), which claims to have one million members, will also see a closely watched biennial party election, amid the hot issues of its pact with Umno and an internal corruption scandal.