PKR sees BN secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansur’s statement in support of open debates as paving the way for a debate between Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

NONE PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution (left) said today that he hopes that Tengku Adnan can play a role as go-between to arrange a debate.

"I believe this is not a flippant comment, and I welcome such openness by BN to have its leaders debate us,” he said.

"On Anwar's side, we reiterate our invitation for a debate. We hope Tengku Adnan can act on behalf of Najib to organised a debate between these two great leaders.”

The Star today quoted Tengku Adnan, who is Umno secretary-general, as saying that the ruling coalition was ever ready to participate in debates, such as the one between MCA chief Dr Chua Soi Lek and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng last Saturday.

The Umno leader reportedly said such debates are "healthy".

No Pakatan policy on trade with Israel

On a separate matter, Saifuddin said Pakatan Rakyat has yet to decide its foreign policy on Israel, should it take over the federal government.

azlan “We have not discussed this. Matters to do with Israel did not arise when we drafted our common policy,” he said.

He had said this in response to revelations by PKR-linked NGOs that Malaysia has trade ties with Israel, desipte the two countries not having diplomatic relations.

International Trade and Industry deputy minister Mukhriz Mahathir had earlier said that the government could not bar private companies from trading with Israel, but does not encourage it.

Mukhriz had also asked if Anwar Ibrahim, as PM-in-waiting for Pakatan Rakyat, could declare that a Pakatan government would not allow private trade with the Jewish nation.

On Najib and Thaipusam

On an unrelated matter, Saifuddin said it was his understanding that Muslims could attend events organised by non-Muslims, as long as these were cultural, not religious in nature.

thaipusam najib 070212 Asked specifically about Najib's attendance at Thaipusam, he said: “I believe there are stages in the Thaipusam celebrations, and some of it is religious...but I cannot give a pronouncement. Plus, I was not there.”

Some religious scholars have condemned Najib's attendance at the Hindu festival at Batu Caves on Feb 7.

However, the premier has defended himself, saying he had not participated in religious elements of the annual festival.

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