Former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has called on Umno and PAS to cease fighting over issues on Islam but to discuss and reach a consensus on the matter for the benefit of Muslims.

He said although there had been several attempts for discussion between Umno and PAS, they never materialised and efforts should continue to be made until a consensus was reached on the matter.

Last day of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Najib Abdul Razak takes over as prime minister in Putrajaya Abdullah, who is Kepala Batas Umno chief, said this when speaking to reporters after opening the divisional delegates meeting.

He expressed confidence that both parties could reach a consensus on the matter if both explained the intention of having the discussion, as well as matters to be discussed beforehand.

"Umno has to clarify what it wants to talk about first. Is it about the party, the government or other issues," he added.

Abdullah , who was the former Umno president, hoped parties contesting in the Permatang Pasir by-election would not use religious issues in their campaigns.

He also urged members of component parties in the Barisan Nasional to unite and help campaign in the by-election.

The unity talk issue between the two parties have been in the news in recent months after it was mooted by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and quickly picked up by Umno president Najib Abdul Razak.

Hadi however found strong objections from within in his party and the opposition alliance, prompting him to go slow on the matter.

Najib and Umno on the other hand have been pursuing the matter, keeping the pressure on PAS to get involved in such talks for the sake of race, religion and nation.

-Bernama