The mainstream media have been accused of manipulating PAS president Fadzil Noor's statements on the party's stand with regard to the Umno-proposed talks on Malay unity, according to PAS Youth chief.

PAS Youth chief Mahfuz Omar told malaysiakini today that contrary to what was reported in several newspapers, PAS has "never accepted" the invitation by Umno to sit down and discuss Malay unity.

"The Utusan Malaysia today reported that PAS has accepted the talks to discuss ways to unite the Malays. This is a lie. The truth is PAS has rejected the Malay unity talks and has counter-offered to hold talks on national unity. If the Umno leaders agree to talk on national unity, then PAS is prepared to talk.

"I have just met with Fadzil this afternoon and he told me that he had not accepted the Malay unity talks and has instead proposed to talk on national unity," Mahfuz said in a telephone interview from Kedah.

Mahfuz also said the PAS Youth Centre expresses its deepest regret that Umno and its leaders have made a "donkey" out of the mainstream media by manipulating statements from the PAS president.

"This shows that the invitation by Umno to hold talks with the opposition is not sincere, especially on talks pertaining to unity," he said.

No formal invitation

"From the beginning itself, I have said that this is the latest ' sandiwara politik ' (political drama) by Umno and its leaders. This is merely to confuse the 65 percent of the Malays who supported the opposition in the last general elections (in 1999)."

Mahfuz claimed that the reason Umno is initiating Malay unity talks is that the Malays are opposing the government policies.

Mustafa Ali, one of the key leaders of PAS, said that while PAS has agreed to sit down for talks with Umno, Malay unity is only one of the issues that will be discussed.

"We have asked for a wider scope - and not only on Malay unity - and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi seemed to be open to the idea. So, we accepted it as such," said Mustafa.

Meanwhile, PAS secretary-general Nasharuddin Isa said that the party has yet to receive a formal invitation even though PAS has formed a "technical team" should the talks take place.