Monday, July 21, 2008

Umno, PAS Top Leaders Have Had Three Dialogue Sessions, Says PM

PUTRAJAYA, July 20 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today revealed that Umno and PAS have had three high-level dialogue sessions to discuss several issues closely related to religion.
He said these meetings were not attended by PAS Spiritual Leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who is also the Kelantan menteri besar.
"I have had these meetings, and they are at the preliminary stage. It is not necessary for me to give other details. You will then speculate. Nik Aziz was not there, that I can say. Don't ask anything else. (The meetings were attended by) those who can make decisions," he said, indicating somewhat that the dialogue sessions were also attended by, among others, PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Abdullah responded thus when asked to comment on the "muzakarah" (dialogue) with PAS proposed by Abdul Hadi in an interview with the PAS organ, Harakah, last week.
The prime minister had earlier announced the setting up of the Cooperatives Commission of Malaysia and launched the National Cooperatives Day 2008.
Abdul Hadi had said in the interview that PAS had the right to have discussions with Umno on Islam without having to consult any of the parties in the opposition alliance.
PAS is a member of the Pakatan Rakyat (People's Alliance) coalition which also comprises Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and the DAP.
Abdullah, elaborating on the dialogue, said one of the topics of discussion was on the problems which could arise if religious issues were politicised.
"If religious matters become political issues, they can cause problems among Muslims. That was one of the topics. There were other topics but it is not necessary for me to elaborrate," he said.
Asked whether Umno would impose certain conditions for the dialogue or appoint a third party to chair the sessions, as proposed by Nik Aziz, Abdullah said conditions would only make things difficult.
"Why do we need to set conditions? It will only make things difficult. We discuss any view which we think we should discuss.
"Let us at this stage discuss things amongst ourselves. We have not thought of the need for a third party as yet," he said.
Abdullah also said that the meetings had resulted in consensus and a good understanding by both sides.

tunku : there are news that going around that pas will be joining barisan .i have heard so many news on this matter.pas will be given 2 ministers post and 3 deputies post.few keadilan's state legislative member will be joinning umno too.if this happen then perak, selangor,kelantan and kedah will be back with bn.can we believe this news? is pas backstabbing their partners in pakatan? we will know come this september.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

whereas before this dialogue was mere speculation, this confirmation can potentially spark new suspicion and distrust amongst the PR. which I suppose is nothing new, given that PAS has been so vocal about making their "unique" voice heard. The cracks within the PR has just gotten worryingly bigger.

Anonymous said...

The dialogue sessions is a new, good sign of relationships between PAS and UMNO for a better understanding.

It is hope that more to come dialogue sessions and meetings will be done between this two great party to enhance a better relationships and better solutions for the issues regarding Islamic religion and Malay race specifically.

Anonymous said...

I will protest any move by PAS to join UMNO under Badawi.
PAS should only consider UMNO when it is rid of all the scum in the top brass..
btw.. From my intuition, I dont think any such talks will materialise, they will only remain there.
PAS has more to gain with PR as govt. Perhaps even a DPM post.
UMNO grassroots must stand up and clean the party. Najib too does not beckons me as a PM.

KluangGal

Anonymous said...

PAS and BN gonna be together soon?for the time being we can expect that as a hearsay.but wait until september as we see how it turns out to be the truth or mere speculation.

but now let's just focus on the positive side of the discussion.hope that the discussion will lead to something better and not just babbling and arguing over each other political stands.

HeroTamil said...

Duh....!!
Well....
i wouldnt mind if Dollah hadhari jump over to join PAS or PKR.

By all mean...please do!!

Anonymous said...

AAB is banking on PAS joining Barisan at all cost. It would be the greatest achievement since Tun Razak days in getting PAS to join BN. AAB will be seen asa hero and this will strengthen his position as the PM.

Anonymous said...

If by PAS joining BN will strenghthen Pak Lah and not UMNO or BN, then the losers would be all Umno and PAS members.

Tak Dak Nama 3

Anonymous said...

I must say that eventhough it's a bit far-fetched but the idea of doing the dialogue between two of the oldest parties in Malaysia can be considered as a good move for the benefit of the Malay and Muslim community.