Preliminary initiatives to be taken to hold serious talks with PAS leaders to forge closer ties between the two political parties will be discussed at the Umno supreme council meeting on Friday.

NONE Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin, who welcomed the willingness of Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to patch up and forget the political differences between the PAS state government and the federal government, said such a scenario would open up a new chapter in relations between the federal government and Kelantan state government and PAS.

"I'm thankful because this is a positive statement from Nik Aziz who is showing a good Muslim attitude.

"Following such a decision, we can take follow-up measures and the best is to discuss it at the Umno Supreme Council meeting on July 31," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Normal to have differences

Muhyiddin said this when asked to comment on the willingness of Nik Aziz, who is also the PAS spiritual leader, to patch up and forget the political differences between the PAS Kelantan state government and the federal government for the sake of the people and Islamic unity.

NONE Nik Abdul Aziz hoped that differences in opinion between political leaders especially between Umno and PAS during the campaign for the Manik Urai by-election recently could be forgotten and that both parties returned to the spirit of brotherliness among Muslims.

Muhyiddin said: "We have stated from the beginning when the topic of solidarity government was raised, although we did not explain, we had given a positive reaction and we had stated that we were willing to discuss for the sake of national unity and the Muslim ummah.

"If there were differences or any misunderstanding, it's only normal for human beings."

Muhyiddin said the Umno supreme council meeting might also decide on the party's representatives for the talks with PAS leaders.

"We don't have to set a specific agenda for the preliminary meeting which will be the opening move for whatever matters that we can discuss together," he said.