The Malaysian Insider

UPDATE

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — After failing to hold unity talks with Umno, the conservative faction of the Islamist party is now pushing for an “intellectual” discussion with Umno Youth, in a sign that the fiasco has not been laid to rest.

PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan, in a joint press conference with Umno Youth deputy chief Datuk Razali Ibrahim today, said the talks are aimed at resolving the political standoff between the two parties.

Nasrudin added that the talks will be beneficial to the Malaysian public.

“We hope this will be the beginning of many more discussions and to have an intellectual culture in solving problems,” Nasrudin said.

But such an open sign of cooperation between the two political rivals could spark off a fresh round of concern among both their partners in Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

The PAS flirtation with Umno over the possibility of forming a unity government had caused serious fissures not only within the Islamist party but also among its PR partners, the DAP and PKR.

Last week, PR leaders made a public commitment towards the fledgling alliance, but The Malaysian Insider understands that an intense power struggle continues in PAS between the conservative ulama group who are for unity talks with Umno, and the so-called Erdogan faction, backed by spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, which sees its future in the opposition alliance under the leadership of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

PAS's conservatives, led by party president Hadi Awang and deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa are keen on exploring options with Umno as they feel the party and its leaders are being overshadowed by Anwar and the other two parties.

Umno remains keen on cooperating with PAS in what is an obvious attempt to drive a wedge between the PR parties.

Razali said that Umno Youth is committed to such intellectual discussions not because of political mileage but for the universal betterment of Malaysians.

“If we are sincere with our work and do it with honesty and trust. I think we are able to solve many issues,” Razali said.

Both parties will create a special secretariat to deal with the format, subject matter and the location of the discussions.

Nasrudin also wants the intellectual discourse to be held public so that Malaysians can witness how the two parties are trying to solve their political differences.

“What is important is the honesty and the truth. What we are looking for is the truth and not trying to attack each other. What we are want is the truth,” Nasrudin said.

Nasrudin stressed that this discussion is not related with the failed unity talk but it is an attempt by both parties to discuss what is best for the country.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was at the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya today, told reporters he did not know the details when asked about PAS Youth’s bid to have an “intellectual” discussion with Umno Youth.

When pressed for his views on how this latest round of talks will affect Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ties, he said “I will let the PAS leaders discuss it first.”

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