Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has lauded the PAS Youth movement's initiative in making the first move in holding fresh talks with their rival movement.

"They have shown that they are brave enough to defy the Pakatan Rakyat's leadership, when Pakatan has said that they didn't want to hold any talks with Umno," he said in a press conference in Parliament.

"Previously attempts to hold discussions between PAS and Umno at the central level were disrupted by PAS allies in Pakatan Rakyat," he pointed out.

pas umno pemuda talks parliment 010709 khairy 03 "We would be doing disservice if we don't accept their request... it is a significant step they are taking," he added.

He was referring to a joint announcement by PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan and Umno Youth deputy chief Razali Ibrahim earlier today of their decision to hold intellectual discussions .

Nasrudin said the talks were aimed at resolving the political stand-off between the two parties.

The decision by the two youth wings to hold such talks came at the heels of a recent rejection by Pakatan Rakyat to allow PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to hold unity talks with Umno.

Hadi had to back down from holding those talks and toe the Pakatan line.

Talks only after Manek Urai

Rembau MP Khairy also expressed hope that discussions between the two parties will not be limited to matters concerning Islam and the Malays.

"I hope that once Umno and PAS are able to take-off on our discussion, we can also involve the youth factions of other BN component parties and maybe tackle other issues like democracy, idealism and so forth," he said.

However, he cautioned that the "intellect discussions" will only materialise after the Manek Urai by-election on July 14 as it was necessary to test "the chemistry between Umno and PAS".

pas umno pemuda talks parliment 010709 khairy 01 "We are to face each other as rivals in the by-election... and in election campaigns sometimes there tend to be personal attacks unless we manage to limit matters concerning issues," said Khairy.

He added that he did not want to speculate "on the level comfort" with PAS Youth as they have yet to have any cooperation.

"We haven't even gone on our first date yet, we will see," said Khairy.

Former PAS Youth chief hopeful

Former PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub also responded on the engagement between both the youth wings.

"When I was the youth chief we sent many letters to Umno Youth inviting them discuss on issues of concerning development and social matters (but) we never got reply favourable reply.

"Maybe under the new leadership, they will be able to engage on these issues," said Salahuddin.

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