Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim today brushed aside speculations that Pakatan Rakyat component party leaders were divided on local council elections, especially with objections coming largely from his own party PKR.

However he admitted that there was a strong difference of opinion among the leaders on the issue, despite Pakatan's promise in its 2008 elections manifesto to spread democracy through local council elections should it wrest federal power.

NONE "There was a strong difference of opinion but then we have to agree on a consensus, only then we could go through everything," he told reporters in Parliament.

Anwar, who is also PKR's de facto leader, revealed that he had a three-hour meeting with all Pakatan leaders in Parliament building today to finalise Pakatan's common policy which will be unveiled at its convention this Saturday.

In the meeting, he said, the issue of local council elections was also among the matters discussed but the leaders managed to come up with a "clear and strong" final draft of a policy.

"Today, we focused on the preamble and the issue of local council (elections) was mentioned in the meeting. But you know the position of the parties like, for Islam, of course PAS will be stronger, while on Chinese education, DAP will be stronger.

"So we will find a formula so that it will become a very clear policy. I think you will be happy to read the final draft because it is really strong.

"It is a clear testament in terms of our commitment to forge a cohesive alliance," explained Anwar.

Islamic state not an issue

The Pakatan convention, which is to be held at the Shah Alam City Council hall on Dec 19, will reveal the common policy of the three component parties, PAS-PKR-DAP. The trio have been at loggerheads on various issues in the past.

According to Anwar, the common policy has been completed, with all outstanding issues resolved, during a meeting last Monday.

"I think this is the first time that we actually spoke out on some very contentious issues such as language, education and religion. I think we have gone far ahead. This is the party for the future," he assured.

Anwar also said that the Islamic state agenda pushed by PAS will no longer be an issue following the common ground backed by the three parties.

"Islamic state is no longer an issue. It wasn't an issue in 2008 and it shouldn't be an issue now," he said.