Umno has never closed its doors to talks with PAS

Umno has never closed its doors to discussion with PAS but has always been sincere in its willingness to discuss for the sake of Malay unity, said Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
    
Ismail, who is also an Umno supreme council member, said it was PAS which had instead opposed the suggestion for the discussion.

"Nik (Abdul) Aziz (Nik Mat) himself did not agree that the discussion be held to the extent that the PAS deputy president, Ustaz Nasharuddin (Mat Isa) himself was almost expelled for his liberal stand in wanting to discuss with Umno," he said when commenting on the statement by PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat who wanted Umno and PAS to sit down together and discuss issues pertaining to Islam
    
"We have never closed our doors to discussion. I have never heard Umno members or leaders saying 'no more, we don't want to discuss'. Never," he told reporters.

On Thursday, Nik Abdul Aziz, who is also the Kelantan Menteri Besar, said he wanted Umno and PAS to sit down together to discuss issues on Islamic religion instead of continuing to waste time quarrelling on politics.
    
He said Umno leaders must think about the need for the two political parties to discuss issues pertaining to religion because it would be pointless for both parties to adopt the approach of adversarial politics.

Ismail Sabri said if PAS wished to sit down for discussion again, Umno had no objection as the party was truly sincere.

"All this while, I understand that in order not to offend its coalition partners, it (PAS) was willing to ignore a very positive suggestion to unite the Malays.
    
"We don't want to form this or that, to move towards that government or this government. No...we are saying why not sit down and discuss first. What we want to discuss can be determined later, but don't shut off straight away,” he said.

Condition is that PAS must be sincere

In Machang, the Kelantan Umno liaison body was prepared at any time to sit together with Kelantan PAS leaders to discuss the agenda on Malay unity and Islam for the benefit of the people in the state.

Its deputy chairperson Senator Dr Awang Adek Hussin said the willingness was on condition that PAS must be sincere and not use the discussion as a political game.

"(right) Mustapa Mohamed (Kelantan Umno Liaison chair) and I are willing and have never closed our doors to the discussion," he told reporters.

Awang Adek also said that Umno was sincere because it had no hidden agenda and the discussion could be held anywhere.

In Kota Baharu, Kok Lanas state assemblyperson Mohd Alwi Che Ahmad hoped
the suggestion by Nik Aziz for a discussion with Umno and end the rivalry between the two Malay parties would become a reality.

He said the time had come for PAS and Umno to sit together and discuss issues on religion and Malay unity in a sincere manner for a lasting unity.

"I hope Nik Aziz is sincere on this matter and will not impose various conditions as was the case previously...if he can sit down and discuss with non-Muslims, why not with Umno which is clearly a Muslim party," said Mohd Alwi, who is also the opposition leader in the Kelantan state assembly.
    
Welcoming the suggestion, he urged that the discussion be held now to reduce splits which were occurring among the Malays. - Bernama