The Umno leadership warmly welcomes international preacher Dr Zakir Naik's urging for the Malay party to unite with the Islamic party PAS in a unity government.

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said that the call was significant as it came from someone without any vested interest.

"Maybe prior to this, PAS may not realise the merit of this unity. Maybe PAS thinks that the call which came from the Umno leadership is made out of self-interest.

"But Zakir said this and he has no personal and political interest in the matter. He spoke as an Islamic intellectual which looked at Islam's interest, that is the difference," he told Malaysiakini.

Tajuddin wants PAS to forget all the unfortunate history between it and Umno for the sake of Islam.

"We should forget all that is in the past, move forward with a new approach suitable with Islamic teachings and we, as Muslims, must follow the accepted teachings for the sake of the security and prosperity of the congregation," said Tajuddin, the Pasir Salak MP.

In an interview with TV Alhijrah last night, Zakir said that a unity government comprising PAS and Umno would bring benefit to Malaysia in forging the path to the future and strengthening Islam.

The report, however, did not elaborate what form the unity government would take.

Meanwhile, Umno supreme council member Aziz Kaprawi said that Zakir's call to form a unity government was good as it would foster national harmony.

"This is a wise view as it will create a harmonious society and bring about peace to the nation.

"This is what the majority of the people wants," he told Malaysiakini.

Aziz also said what he did not want was discord such as that being experienced by Muslims in Syria that led to the suffering of the people, with many becoming refugees.