PAS says it is prepared to hold dialogues with Umno, but not on forming a unity government.

“Our policy is that we can discuss any issue, including crime, corruption and the economy,” said PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang yesterday.

He was quoted as saying this in today’s Sinar Harian , in response to deputy Umno president Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement on Tuesday that Umno is prepared to cooperate with PAS for the betterment of Malays and Muslims.

Hadi said the Pakatan Rakyat council has already decided that the coalition is open to dialogue with BN on national issues.

However, the Malay-language daily also quoted him as chiding Umno for repeating its invitation to PAS for cooperation each time the issue dies down.

He added that PAS ulamas had invited Umno for a discussion in the 1980s as well, but there was no response.

“Previously, PAS was ejected from BN, and now they are inviting us back. They are divorce-crazy, we are not,” he said, referring to the 1978 incident.