Umno Kelantan leaders today questioned the sincerity of PAS' Kelantan executive councillor Husam Musa who called for peace between his party and Umno in the interests of the Malays.

Asked to comment on Husam's statement as reported today, Umno Kelantan information chief Alwi Che Jusoh and state assemblyman Annuar Musa inquired as to in what capacity did the PAS leader make the statement.

"Who is Husam to make the call? He is just the state exco member. Such a call should come from the menteri besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat who is also the party's Mursyidul Am (spiritual advisor).

"Or at least the party's president Abdul Hadi Awang," said Alwi when contacted today.

"I still remember Nik Aziz as saying that PAS will never meet with Umno until we accept Islam. So I want to ask whether PAS has now recognised Umno's Islamic credentials?

"If that is so, then PAS must be dissolved because Nik Aziz has also said PAS need not exist if Umno follows the way of Islam."

Alwi said if PAS was of the view that Umno was a credible party for the Malay Muslims, then the question of peace talks or discussions should not arise.

'Playing a trick'

He alleged that Husam's statement was nothing but mere 'political talk' as PAS had formerly rejected Umno's effort to discuss Malay unity.

"Before the elections, Umno wanted to discuss with PAS which was still strong then. Our people met with PAS secretary general Nasharuddin Mat Isa who is higher ranking than Husam.

"But PAS refused to talk and instead imposed so many conditions which we couldn't meet," he said, adding the general election results showed that the Malays were solidly supporting Umno.

"It is PAS' that is facing problems now. If Husam is serious in helping the Malays, he can do so easily ... just join Umno,"said Alwi.

Echoing his colleague, Kelantan Umno's Kok Lanas state assemblyman Annuar Musa pointed out that Husam had been making 'too many statements' which sometimes conflicted with those made by other PAS exco members.

"PAS is playing a trick. It is trying to confuse the people. They keep giving these statements and we don't know whether they're personal statements, the party's or the state government's.

"We don't know know how credible their statements are," he said. "From now on, Umno will not dance to their tune. When it come to state policy matters, we want to hear it from the menteri besar himself."

'Damage control'

He also wondered why Nik Aziz seemed to keeping mum on the issue and allowed Husam to be seen calling the shots.

"We want to know what is Nik Aziz doing? Husam is just an exco member. He is only the party's state deputy commissioner III. Is Husam talking in his personal capacity or has he been given the mandate to talk on behalf of the party?

"Serious matters of these kind should be dealt with by the party top leadership," he said, adding that if the opposition party was sincere, it should make their intentions known clearly through the proper channel.

"Do it properly...don't go to the media. Write to us, contact us officially and we will respond. They (PAS) are trying to trap us but unfortunately for them, we are not easy game."

Annuar said he also suspected that Husam made his statement to re-establish the party's image after its bad performance in the polls. "Husam is trying to build a new image for the party and this is why he is making all these statements. It is just damage control by him."

In an immediate reaction, Husam said that he had already discussed the matter with Nik Aziz and other PAS exco members and they have agreed to the proposal that Umno and PAS bury the hatchet for the sake of the people of Kelantan.

"We are very open to a discussion with Umno for the sake of the people. We have always adopted an open policy, " said Husam who is in charge of the state's planning, finance and community development committee.

Open dialogue

He said the main intention of his statement was to initiate a dialogue with Umno's leaders on the Kelantan's development.

"We want to present our case ... that we are trying our best to bring development to the state and its people. What we want is for Umno to stop politicking on trivial issues and help us in improving the people's quality of life."

"The federal government usually formulates its own agenda without consulting the state. In some cases, we get no cooperation to expedite development and investments. Such actions will not benefit the people."

He said Umno's leadership should be open enough to meet him although he does not hold a high position within PAS.

"Leaders like prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak must open their doors to meet people like me. What do they have to fear? It's like a cat meeting lions," he quipped.

When asked on his chances to meet Abdullah or Najib, Husam said: "Well, it's entirely up to them. I will go to their offices and see if they are willing to open their doors for me."