PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has welcomed Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s ( right ) positive response to having bilateral talks between BN and Pakatan Rakyat.

In commending this, Anwar said this was the first positive response from a senior Umno leader to his call for a dialogue and reach a consensus on critical issues for a nation.

“I will have to explore this and look to get the PKR secretary-general to respond directly to him,” said the opposition leader.

“We will wait for the outcome.”

Asked whether this is an indication of a unity government, Anwar simply replied, “No”.

“There is no relevance of a unity government, as I have spelt out the issues.

“We need a consensus on the fundamental issues affecting the nation, which I referred to yesterday,” he added.

Religion, corruption among the issues

The issues are religion, corruption and the economy. Under these, Anwar said, the people were facing serious economic challenges and hardships.

“We need to address the issues,” he stressed.

Earlier today, Ahmad Zahid ( right ) - during a monthly briefing with Home Ministry officers - expressed willingness for bilateral talks between Umno and PKR following Anwar’s address to the nation yesterday.

Anwar had yesterday addressed the nation, and warned that the country is heading towards pre-May 13, 1969 tensions.

"We have not seen this building up of tension since the events leading up to our national tragedy of May 13, 1969.

“The voices of hate and animosity, the voices of prejudice and suspicion, and the voices of rack and ruin are attempting to drown out the harmony, cooperation and understanding that we have managed to build on the ruins of this tragedy,” Anwar said yesterday.

This was the second time Anwar had made the offer for reconciliation, amidst speculation that the talks had been rejected.

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who was also present with Anwar, when asked whether he was the one initiating the move and meeting Ahmad Zahid, replied that he had met many Umno leaders.

“I have met Ahmad Zahid, Hishammuddin Hussein, Shafie Apdal are all my old friends,” he said.

There has been talk of Anwar and other Pakatan Rakyat leaders wanting to see a reconciliation as such moves were said to began before the Umno general assembly last month.