With the limited choice of three days, the local media has taken to task in speculating the date when Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad will meet for reconciliation talks.

Both Abdullah and Mahathir said they hoped the meeting could be held before the Hari Raya festival, which falls on Tuesday, marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

The Star today reported that Prime Minister Abdullah was keeping his diary empty in anticipation of the meeting - even to the extent of not committing himself to attend any buka puasa functions in the next three days.

"It was learnt that the Prime Minister's office has kept Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's diary clear of appointments through the weekend as well as Monday," it reported.

The only appointment set for Abdullah was for Works Minister S Samy Vellu's Deepavali open house on Saturday after maghrib prayers.

Although some think that the hours after Friday prayers would be most suitable for the 'clear-the-air' session, the fact that today is the first anniversary of the Abdullah's late wife Endon Mahmood's death may mean the premier would have other plans. He is indeed expected to spend time with his family this evening.

However, Monday appears to be the apparent choice according to The Sun .

They reported that by then the last terawih prayers (the additional non-obligatory evening prayers during Ramadan) would have been performed on Sunday night, leaving Monday evening free.

An angry man

Considerations are also given to whether the meeting will be held in the day or night.

"The aides of the two men who are planning the meeting are taking cognisance of the fact that Muslims must not be angry or lose their temper while fasting."

"Everyone knows that the former PM is an angry man and has a long list of complaints and his successor is adamant that he is right in whatever he is doing and very unhappy with the barbs thrown at him," it stated.

Other major dailies has not offered any analysis on this matter but reported that it is a highly anticipated event that would finally shed light on their recently-soured relations.

The idea of the meeting was spearheaded by the association for former wakil rakyat or Mubarak.