While others around him dither, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin is keen to see progress in talks between Umno and PAS even if a unity government does not materialise.

khairy jamaluddin and umno "Umno is not too concerned about forming a unity government. Instead, it wants to establish a common understanding with PAS," he wrote in his blog today.

He urged the two parties to set aside their differences and work towards finding a common ground in tackling national issues.

"Hopefully, a common understanding towards these issues would demonstrate moderation and progressiveness. If this leads to something more concrete, we hope that both sides will discuss again in future,” he explained.

A roundtable discussion would not only strengthen Malay unity but will also be beneficial to society at large, he said.

“It would be a reflection of maturity and far-sightedness,” he added.

Mixed response

The PAS elections , concluded last Friday, saw the pro- ulama faction - which is inclined to hold talks with Umno - gaining a stronger foothold in the higher echelon of the Islamic party.

Party president Abdul Hadi Awang and newly-elected deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa made it clear the Umno-PAS talks will resume in time to come.

nik aziz angry and pas 020607 However, the proposal was firmly rejected by PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who is aligned to the liberal ‘Erdogan faction’, which wants to strengthen the party’s ties with Pakatan Rakyat.

The Umno-PAS talks were initiated to discuss matters related to Islam and Malay unity after the general election in March last year.

PAS had previously complained that Islam and Malay privileges have been de-emphasised by Pakatan, which is allegedly been dancing to the tune of other partners PKR and DAP.

Former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had confirmed meeting PAS leaders on three occasions to discuss the possibility of a merger. He had declined to name whom he had met, except to say that Nik Aziz was not part of the talks.