PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat has sent a letter to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to "clear the situation" regarding his claim that the premier does not know how to recite the Quran.

His political secretary, Anual Bakhri Haron said today the one-page personal letter was to welcome the premier's statement that he was willing to forgive Nik Aziz.

"With this letter it is perceived that the matter has passed and was resolved amicably," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

Yesterday, Mahathir said he forgave Nik Aziz, who is also PAS spiritual leader, for his remark and advised him not to talk too much in order to reduce mistakes.

Following his allegation, which was made during a ceramah (political talk) on Sept 18, Nik Aziz said it was a slip of the tongue.

The PAS leader said what he really wanted to say was that the premier did not know Arabic. He also expressed his willingness to make a public apology for the error.

"Yes. I forgive him I also ampun (pardon) him," Mahathir had told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport after his return from Denmark, where he attended the Asean Europe Meeting.

However, the premier reportedly went on to take a shot at his long-time rival by saying, "He (Nik Aziz) too does not really know the Arabic language. What he does know is the Urdu language."

Mahathir said this in an apparent reference to the fact that Nik Aziz had studied in Lucknow, India for his first degree and thus was able to speak Urdu.

Public apology

Meanwhile, Anual said the PAS spiritual leader did not want to meet reporters who gathered at his office today because he felt that his verbal statements thus far on the matter have been sufficient.

The political secretary added that with this letter, there should be no more calls for Nik Aziz to make a public apology.

"It no longer arises (the need for a public apology) because the matter has been settled amicably," he said.

The matter came to the media's attention when a businessman lodged a police report against the PAS leader over the allegation. .