Before talking about a handshake with PAS, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak must come clean on the murder of Mongolian national Altrantuya Shaariibuu and the debt-ridden 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

In making the stand, PAS vice-president Husam Musa said with these issues lingering, Muslim unity remains distant.

"Such claims of Muslim unity will only be a short-term political tool to save certain politicians and political parties," he added in a statement.

Husam was responding to Umno’s decision yesterday not to contest in the upcoming Chempaka by-election in Kelantan after the state seat fell vacant following the death of PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

The reasons cited were to concentrate on reconstructing flood ravaged areas and Muslim unity.

However, Husam said the move proved that Umno has now slid to a level where it is not bold enough to face PAS.

"This proves the words of the late Nik Aziz when he said, ‘Tak dok sebab demo nak lawan kawe ‘ (you (Umno) have no valid reason to go against us)," he added.

The Chempaka by election would be held on March 22, with nomination day slated for March 10.

The Altantuya murder has been the source of much speculation, especially after former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar recently revealed that he had acted under orders and threatened to spill the beans.

Sirul and another ex-police commando, Azilah Hadri, were convicted and sentenced to death in connection with the murder last month.

However, Sirul, following the Court of Appeal acquitting the duo, managed to flee to Australia before the apex court delivered its verdict.

Najib became embroiled in the case after his close associate, political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, was charged with abetting the murder.

The latter was discharged while Najib, who was then deputy premier, was cleared of any wrongdoing.

However, the prime minister courted controversy, when he dismissed Sirul's latest claims as "utter rubbish".