Prime Minister Abullah Ahmad Badawi had this week accepted a proposal from PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang for Umno and PAS to hold discussions on issues concerning the Malays and Islam.

Malaysiakini spoke to several parliamentarians about this. Some maintained that this openness does not mean that the two parties are one in the political arena but others were not so clear.

Muhammad Muhd Taib, Umno information chief

muhammad muhd taibThis is a good development and we welcome it. We would talk about economic development and whatever that is beneficial to the people. This would help us give ideas on how to go towards building the nation.

Umno is very positive about this talks. I think PAS has seen the reality that there has been some disturbance in the (opposition) alliance. Thus, the talks between our top leaders show there is an effort to make the people a priority. So let's just go with it and do our work.

I also have detected in a few instances where some parties feel as though they have been pushed aside and some who dominate. Some parties feel as though they want more than others. That’s why I feel Pakatan Rakyat has a slight problem right now.

Azmin Ali, PKR vice-president

azmin aliAt an official level I'm not aware of that (the talks). I think (PAS spiritual leader) Nik Abdul Aziz confirmed about two weeks ago that there are no such talks between PAS and Umno. So I hope the talks does not happen and will not happen.

If there are any plans to have talks with Umno, I would like to suggest as a member of Pakatan Rakyat, that PAS should table these ideas in the Pakatan Rakyat meeting. But at this point, I have no idea of talks between Pakatan and Umno. May be in my personal capacity as an MP, I have no objections.

Shahrir Samad, Umno supreme council member

shahrir samadFirst we have to recognise that the elections are over and respect the election outcome with various state and federal governments being formed. Therefore the willingness of PAS to have talks with Umno signifies that they have more or less accepted the election results and are moving forward from that.

I don't think this is a political move because they (PAS) are representing Malay-majority states like Kedah and Kelatan. We are talking about problems of poverty and development especially directed to the poor and the lower income group. It is a good sign to move out from the 'election' mode

Khalid Samad (PAS-Shah Alam)

(The discussion is) based on general topics on the problems faced by Muslims and the Malays and it does not indicate any intention on our part to work together with Umno and leave Pakatan Rakyat.

So what we want is to show an open attitude towards Umno members and having this meeting with the Umno leadership will show that there is no animosity or personal vindictiveness. But the intention has never changed that what we want is to see them join us instead of us joining them.

We will always have our open policy. And politics is such that after the first term with Pakatan Rakyat, after five, 10, 15 years down the road, anything can happen. A lot depends on what happens to Umno itself as well. There is a lot of uncertainty in the political arena that's why we always have an open policy to talk with everybody.

We have always been talking about having discussions with Umno. Only in this current political climate, they are making a lot of uninformed guesses. Our commitment to Pakatan Rakyat is as strong as it was since the first day of its formation. Nothing has been done without our agreement, the small disagreements are normal because we are still new.

Zuraidah Kamaruddin (PKR-Ampang)

We got justification from Abdul Hadi Awang that it is in the spirit of Malay unity. It is okay to share this feeling but it does not mean that we are together in the political arena but in terms of the Malay issue, there is no problem. We at Pakatan Rakyat are open, there will be no cracks (as a result of these talks)