PAS will not hold any form of discussion, let alone collaborate with Umno, to form a government.

However, the party is willing to negotiate if the issue is of public interest, said its secretary-general Mustafa Ali.

"In the political context and forming a government, PAS already has a policy, that is to stick with the opposition pact, which had taken over several states.

"(Thus) discussions on political collaboration with Umno is no longer necessary," he told reporters at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

pas mustafa ali pc 090609 01 Mustafa said PAS, however, was willing to discuss with Umno if the issue bordered on the people's interest and involved both the federal and state governments, such as a discussion with the National Land Council on development in any PAS-led state.

"We can also discuss other national issues like Palestine or the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English, but not on the collaboration of PAS and Umno," he said.

He was commenting on Prime Minister Najib Razak's remarks on Monday, that Umno was willing to discuss with PAS on issues concerning Muslims in the country, but would not allow Umno to be insulted by anyone.

Sunday meeting to discuss by-election

azlan On the state by-election for Bagan Pinang, Negeri Sembilan, Mustafa said the PAS central committee would meet this Sunday to discuss the party's preparation and its potential candidate.

"The candidate is from Negeri Sembilan and not from other states, we have many candidates," he said.

He also called on the Election Commission to fixed polling day on a weekend to enable more voters to cast their votes.

The Bagan Pinang state seat fell vacant after its incumbent, Azman Mohammad, of the Barisan Nasional, died of blood infection last Friday.

Azman, 54, who was also Teluk Kemang Umno vice-chief, won the seat after defeating PAS' candidate Ramli Ismail by a 2,333-vote majority in the last general election.

- Bernama