PM met Pas leaders 3 times in the past

UPDATED

PUTRAJAYA, July 20 -

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has confirmed today that he has met Pas top leaders three times to discuss Malay unity and Islam.

The Prime Minister, who declined to name the Pas leaders, said the party's spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was never present in any of the meetings.

The Umno president was asked by reporters after launching National Cooperative Day here to elaborate on his willingness to hold a dialogue with Pas leaders to strengthen Malay unity.

Some Pas leaders when contacted today declined comment.

The party sources however explained that certain Pas leaders could have met Abdullah in their own personal capacity and should not be construed as the party's official stand.

Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had proposed a meeting between the two parties to discuss relevant matters pertaining to the Malays and Islam. Abdullah has given a favourable response to the proposal.

However some Pas leaders including Nik Aziz had set certain conditions before the official meeting could take place such as demanding that such a proposal for a dialogue should come from Umno grassroots.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had criticized Nik Aziz, saying that no one should put up any conditions for a dialogue between the two largest Malay organizations.

While Pas and Umno leaders were busy exchanging words, there is a worry among its partners particularly Parti Keadilan Rakyat about the proposed unity talks with Umno.

Although PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had made it clear that the party's close cooperation with Pas is at its peak, and Hadi giving the same assurance, some PKR leaders are still unsure of Pas's political game with Umno.

"We hope Pas is committed to the agenda of building a new Malaysia," said a PKR insider.

A Pas official explained that there was no need for the opposition Pakatan Rakyat to worry because the party would never turn its back on the pledge made before the March 8 general election.

"We're an Islamic and Malay-based party and ideologically Pas and Umno are competing to win the hearts and minds of the Malays. Our partners have nothing to worry about," he said.

IN KOTA BAHARU, Bernama reports that Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat reminded party leaders that such unity talks were personal in nature and should not involve political issues involving the two parties.

The Kelantan menteri besar said he would reject any attempt by Pas leaders to meet Umno leaders to discuss party issues

"If there are to be meetings, they should not be on a party basis. I agree that the meetings be held on a personal basis between individuals," he told reporters at his residence in Pulau Melaka, here.

Nik Aziz said that for the "muzakarah" (dialogue) between Umno and PAS that he proposed, there should be a third party as the intermediary.

kzso - one of abdullah's road map and plan before he steps down. if umno-pas can sit down, discuss and agree to wokk together for the sake of malay and moeslem solidarity, it'll be abdullah showcase. if this event materialised, anwar will sweats under his collar since the pakatan rakyat strength is actually pas, not him. pas wants to show anwar that he cannot dictate pas in the pakatan rakyat.