I refer to the Malaysiakini report Najib: Take Umno-PAS merger step by step.

The big loser in the Umno-PAS talks is of course PAS. Why?

First it has raised the people's suspicion as to its trustworthiness. As one of the partners in the coalition Pakatan Rakyat, it has no business talking to Umno. That one of its leaders has to lie about the dialogue proves it has something to hide. It is like a wife or a husband who is having secret meetings with a potential lover. It simply was inappropriate behaviour.

Second, if there was anything of import about Malay unity to discuss they could have done it in the open. Even if it is about Islam why not bring it out into the open? As an Islamic party committed to the Islamic principle of justice and anti-racism, what business did it have to discuss national concerns that only benefit a particular race in secret?

PAS has vowed to do away with the race-based NEP yet it sees no inconsistency in looking at things through the racial periscope. Why the lack of transparency, the very criticism it would level at Umno before the elections?

Third, it could have raised the issue of Malay concerns with its other partners in Pakatan and the proper way was for Pakatan to talk to Umno. But frankly, the Malay unity talks was a sham. With corruption threatening to destroy the country's crucial public institutions talking about Malay unity is absurd. And if they want to talk about Islamic unity why the secrecy?

It seems ludicrous for Umno politicians to involve the whole country when it talks about Malay poverty and wants every Malaysian to chip in to help with measures such as the NEP or MEP but suddenly Malay unity seems a Malay-only problem. Why not a NUP? A National Unity Plan? Many non-Malays also want to see the Malays united because communal unity is an integral part of national unity.

Fourth, some Umno politicians have reached a stage of desperation. They are not only cutting off their own Umno comrades but making sure they are politically disabled and never get the chance to hold real power. One clique tries to destroy another. It is totally undemocratic. For example it is virtually impossible for more capable Umno stalwarts to get into the top jobs because the door was undemocratically shut on them by the Abdullah-Najib pact of convenience.

Thus they will only act in their own self-interest. They forget the country wants the best Umno people to run the country also, not those who are only good at monopolising power and can't curb corruption or get things done.

Non-Umno members have an interest in who runs the political parties that eventually run the country. They want not only sound politicians but capable leaders in their jobs.

Fifth, it shows the inability of PAS to be a broad-picture party. Always inordinately bogged in narrow visions, it has failed to fire our imagination as to its ability to be a national party serving the interests of all Malaysians unlike PKR which takes a balanced and broad approach to national issues. In fact, what is the PAS vision for the country? It should spend time talking to the rakyat, not Umno.

Sixth, it is not a party of strong conviction. Despite all its rhetoric it is does not appear to have a united vision and its Islamic credentials are often disunited. Either it is the media or PAS leaders who can't seem to shake off the bad publicity over narrow-minded ideas about frivolous things.

It spent much of its existence battling Umno which it has called all sorts of names and now that a carrot is dangled before its leaders, it is easily besotted and forgets why it went into so many elections against Umno.

Seventh, it has betrayed the voters many of whom had voted for PAS candidates because they were in the Pakatan Rakyat team. Many of the voters (as news reports told us) used to be firm Barisan supporters but radically chose to vote for Pakatan Rakyat because it offered them new hope and the chance of deliverance from racist policies. Now PAS has let them down. Some are already choosing Umno again over PAS.

So there you are the seven deadly reasons why PAS has lost.

Ultimately, in a democracy, PAS has the right to talk to whom they want but it is not what they discuss but how they discuss it that has attracted criticism and deservedly so. PAS owes a big apology to their Pakatan Rakyat partners and voters, and perhaps to disclose what was discussed to allay the offence and suspicions. Otherwise its credence may be beyond repair.

Furthermore, at a time when its leader Anwar Ibrahim is alleging 'foul play' by Umno how PAS can sit down with those who have designed his downfall is beyond belief. Is Malay unity more important than Pakatan unity at this crucial juncture? Are PAS leaders so insensitive or have they given up on Anwar?

Why wasn't Anwar invited to the talks if Malay or Islamic unity was of such utmost urgency? And Dr Mahathir Mohamad? In truth, more than others, these two would be crucial to any Malay unity talks which would ring hollow without their participation.

If DAP leaders feel hot under the collar it is understandable. Karpal Singh has asked the right questions about PAS. Many among the rakyat are also feeling uncomfortable about PAS now. We don't blame them. PAS can't now be taken seriously as a national political party. The only way I can see it redeeming itself, if I may reiterate, is for PAS to apologise to the people, divulge what were discussed truthfully and pledge not to do anything that would undermine the unity of Pakatan t this critical period of their hard slog to gain power.

As Anwar is the symbol of the people's hopes against bad governance and corruption, it is important that PAS rally around him and not do his political enemies a favour. There is a proper time and place and manner to hold unity talks, not only on Malay unity but more importantly national unity, but the PAS way is not the proper route to take.

There is no place in the country for political parties to hold talks to unite only one race. I hope PAS leaders will show greater wisdom and a better sense of timing than they have in the past weeks. It is too dangerous to leave the administration of the country to amateurs.