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

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.

kzso - if it is good for the ummah and the country why not? dap (lim kit siang and karpal singh) and pkr (anwar) will not agree on this (pas to have sessions with umno). now we await for dap and pkr comment.