Although the dust has yet to settle over the whole unity talks saga between Islamic party PAS and liberal arch-rivals Umno, newly-elected PAS Youth leader Nasrudin Hassan, feels that approaching Umno is akin to 'Moses meeting with the Pharaoh'.

In a an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini on Tuesday, the 38-year-old Al-Azhar University graduate stood firm in his belief that the proposed talks would amount to "preaching to an evil government" and nothing more than that.

"It means we have been ordered by God to preach about Islam using all avenues... let's recall how Allah sent prophet Moses to face an evil leader Pharaoh and why not we emulate such a move and preach to them (Umno)?" he said.

nasrudin hassan tantawi pas youth leader interview 160609 03 Nasrudin (right) , who also hails from an ulama background, says he will still be willing to preach even if it means he has to go to the "evil leader's front door".

"There is nothing that can stop us from discussing, holding talks or dialogues," he said, however stressing that such a move would not mean the Islamic party would join Umno.

"Holding talks does not mean joining them. Talks, discussions and dialogues mean we just want them to understand our cause and struggle in Islam," said Nasrudin.

He further stressed that such talks are needed because "PAS is an Islamic movement and it is its responsibility to preach to Umno".

"But no matter how evil they are, we can't leave them behind... we need to preach to them. Whether they want to accept our teachings or not, that is up to them and God," said Nasrudin.

President's idea

The idea of 'unity talks' with Umno was mooted after several PAS leaders were approached by Umno leaders including former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to form a unity government following the Barisan Nasional's setback, losing five states during March 8 general election.

Although this was an open secret at that time, Nasrudin said the idea of holding unity talks was just a suggestion by party president Abdul Hadi Awang and it is open for debate or discussion.

"And we will hold a discussion at the party level in order to come up with a new mechanism to resolve this issue. The discussion will be held in detail where we would look from many aspects such as its principle and political situation to see whether it would be appropriate," he said.

nasrudin hassan tantawi pas youth leader interview 160609 01 However, he remained positive that the debate will not create a split within the party, but instead, would make the party more mature.

"If such debates exist, it would create some maturity among the party members... that is why we need to calm down and be tolerant in handling this issue. Only then, can we be mature in handling any polemic matters," he said.

Nasrudin was also optimistic that all issues pertaining to the unity talks with Umno could be resolved once a decision is made at the national level.

"I am confident that all the PAS members would adhere to what the president has decided on because they have been educated in such a way and I am positive that they would agree with the his decision," he said.

Only a 'misunderstanding'

Nasrudin said whatever differences or debates that have taken place between PAS and their Pakatan partners - PKR and DAP regarding the unity talks is just a "misunderstanding" where they failed to convey the right information to one another.

He also argued that the issue of the unity talks will not split the party "although debates on the matter is always intense".

He said Pakatan now lacks a 'special secretariat' that would allow leaders from all levels to sit down " and explain themselves and resolve issues harmoniously".

"From my observation, the only problem we are facing is misunderstanding, or our failure to give the right information or settle the issue of harmony. If we could resolve all this, God willing, our problems (within Pakatan) will also be resolved," he said.

pas muktamar 55 agm assembly 050609 02 "In order to do that, we need to have a special secretariat that would streamline these three parties... we had one before, but it was inconsistent and it was limited to president's council only," added Nasrudin.

Many have seen that holding the unity talks is a way of forging closer alliance with party rival Umno and this has irked many members who are opposed to the idea.

The idea to forge unity talks was initially created by party president Abdul Hadi Awang and endorsed by his long-term deputy Nasharuddin Mat Isa and several pro-muzakarah leaders in the party.

Following the suggestion, Pakatan leaders from DAP and PKR felt 'betrayed' with PAS' apparent 'flirting' with Umno.

PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat yesterday asked party deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa to quit the party and join Umno for his insistence in forging an alliance with the party.

Nik Aziz has been a vocal critic of having any links with Umno, constantly reminding members and leaders of the experience the party had in the 1970s when it was component in the Barisan Nasional.

Tomorrow, Nasrudin Hasan talks to Malaysiakini about the new directions the PAS Youth wing will take when addressing the political agenda of the day.

Part 2: PAS Youth chief stamps new style of leadership