Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has expressed hope that the Umno-PAS muzakarah (dialogue) will continue in finding solutions to problems plaguing Malays and Muslims in the country.

According to Bernama, the Umno deputy president said the two sides could expand the discussions to include matters deemed important in the interest of the community and nation if PAS continued to meet with Umno.

"It is good if the discussions continue, not only the ones involving the party president (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and PAS leaders)", he said.

Najib was asked to comment on PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's statement yesterday that the party was willing to hold discussions with Umno if it were for the benefit of the people and Islam.

najib cyberjaya jv agreement alado chery 180408 02 Najib replied: "No need for polemics on the term used, as long as we can discuss and reach a consensus on issues for the good of society and the nation."

Revelations that high-powered meetings between Umno and PAS

early this week has caught both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat coalition parties by surprise.

Abdullah also revealed yesterday that Umno had offered to share power with PAS in Selangor after the March 8 general election as it was within its right as the incumbent state government causing alarm within political circles.

Mercedes issue closed

In an unrelated matter, Najib also urged the people not to blow up the issue surrounding Terengganu state government's purchase of 14 Mercedes E200 Kompressor cars to replace the Proton Perdana V6 Executive cars.

"The issue is closed following the PM's statement on the state administration's official car use, whereby they must abide by the circular.

"They must use Proton cars. So, there's no need to blow this (issue) up," he said.

idris jusoh 00 Najib was asked to respond to former Terengganu Menteri Besar Idris Jusoh's intention to take legal action against accusations that the cost of maintenance for his car for official use during his tenure was very high.

Idris's special assistant Kamarulazman Idris disclosed that legal action may be taken against a state government statement which stated RM235,123.08 had been paid to maintain the Proton

Perdana V6 Executive used by Idris from 2004 until today.

Kamarulazman said that the actual amount used to maintain the car was RM131,449.83 and that his boss's reputation as Jerteh assemblyman has been smeared.

Yesterday, Abdullah said that all the 14 Mercedes cars bought by the Terengganu state government are to be used for guests and not for Menteri Besar Ahmad Said, state executive councillors and other senior state officials.