PAS renews a proposal for national reconciliation with the ruling coalition amidst heightening tension over the 'Allah' row and simmering anger over the rising cost of living.

PAS central committee member Dzulkefly Ahmad said it was "about time" that Pakatan Rakyat and BN sit together to come up with bi-partisan solutions to these ongoing 'crises'.

"The Jais (Selangor Islamic Affairs Department) raid has triggered a religious conflict that can affect public order and harmony.

"Meanwhile there is also the increase in cost of living in 2014 which will become a threat if allowed to fester," he told a press conference at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

"Therefore, we once again call for national reconciliation... this is not about a unity government," he told a press conference today.

Jais had last Thursday raided the Bible Society of Malaysia and carted away over 300 Malay and Iban language bibles which use the word "Allah".

Religious authorities say they are enforcing a state enactment which bans non-Muslims from using the word 'Allah'.

Bipartisan efforts

Dzulkefly, who is also PAS Research Centre director, said among the measures can be the formation of bipartisan caucuses in Parliament and a special parliamentary sitting to discuss pressing issues.

On Jan 3, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang ( left ) similarly urged national reconciliation, citing growing tensions in the country.

Lim cited Najib's New Year's message where he promised to unveil more details about how to "rebuild our national unity" going forward.

"This is not the way to run the country or to deliver Najib’s promise...," Lim had said in reference to the growing religious tussle.

 

"As the government seems to be clueless how to rebuild our national unity, let me propose a meeting of BN and Pakatan Rakyat top leaders on an agenda and blueprint for national reconciliation to rebuild national unity.

 

"Let top leaders from the BN and Pakatan Rakyat political coalitions meet within a week or two to discuss the agenda and blueprint of national reconciliation to rebuild national unity.

 

"The ball is in the court of the prime minister and the BN cabinet," he had said.