KEADILANTELUKKEMANG.

KUALA LUMPUR: Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang yesterday backed the move by the party’s Youth wing to invite its counterpart in Umno to engage in an academic discourse or dialogue on current issues.
He said it was a good suggestion and not at all in conflict with the party’s stand.He also said Pas allowed such discussions as it could help solveproblems affecting the two political parties.“It is something that is good and does not go against the party’s stand,”
he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.Hadi, who is Marang MP, was asked about the invitation by Pas Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan to Umno Youth to take part in a dialogue to resolve differences between them.Umno Youth welcomed the move and said it was a new development that would give an opportunity to both parties to do something good in the interestsof the people and country. Hadi said Pas would continue strengthening unity and cooperation within Pakatan Rakyat, but at the same time allowed discussions to be heldwith other parties, including Umno or other component parties in Barisan Nasional.Opposition leader and Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto head Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he had left it to the Pas leadership to decide if the suggestion was a good idea.“I have a different interpretation of it. It’s up to them to decideif the topic is suitable for such a discussion.”Kulim Bandar Baru MP Zulkifli Nordin said the academic discourse was a good move and could more or less resolve differences among Muslims.On DAP Youth’s objection, he said it was expected of DAP becauseof its secular thinking.“They (DAP) cannot see Muslims or Malays sitting at the same table and having such a discussion because it does not benefit them at all.”Pas vice-president Salahuddin Ayub said Pakatan Rakyat was always willing and open to discuss any issue, including economic rehabilitation, education and social problems.MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong felt that the invitation was not an “academic discourse or dialogue”, but an ordinary discussion.He said at present the matter did not involve MCA and the party stood its ground that whatever discussion must be able to help stabilise the political situation and lessen the effects of the economic crisis.“For now, MCA is not involved in any kind of talks. But if there are any, it must be for the good of the people and the country. It doesn’t matter if the discussion is held with the opposition, as long as they aresincere. That is MCA’s stand.”