Umno-PAS talks: PM gives green light

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today said he accepted a proposal from PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang for discussions to be held between Umno and PAS on issues concerning the Malays and Islam. Abdullah, who is also Umno president, said his party was prepared to discuss with PAS such issues to create understanding so that conflicts over these issues could be reduced.

“If there is understanding, there will be less problems involving the Malays over these issues,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Abdullah, however, reminded that whatever needed to be done for the good of the Malays must take into consideration the interests of the other races.

In an interview published in the latest edition of PAS newspaper, ‘Harakah‘, Hadi was reported as admitting that individuals from the party held discussions with Umno to look into cooperation.

Police doing their job

On the police roadblocks set up at various spots in Kuala Lumpur, Abdullah said the police were only carrying out their duty, especially in reducing disruption to traffic flow due to anti-government demonstrations.

“The people who are organising all these demonstrations are causing massive traffic jams. The police are trying to reduce the hindrances caused and reduce traffic congestion too,” he said.

Abdullah said such demonstrations should not happen in the city as they disrupted business and people’s daily activities.

“The shopkeepers want to do business, and they have the right. They have the right to be assured that there will be no disturbances in the streets.

“At the same time, these demonstrators say they should not be disturbed. But the police have a responsibility to ensure there will be no trouble, that all will be safe,” he said.

Abdullah said such demonstrations should be held at the stadiums so as not to inconvenience the public.

The roadblocks were set up in anticipation of a protest ahead of the no-confidence debate in Parliament.

However, the motion of no-confidence against Abdullah filed by Opposition Leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was rejected by the Speaker.

The heavy police presence at Parliament and the move to mount roadblocks drew criticism from the opposition.