TUESDAY-29 JULY 2008- SCOPE OF UMNO-PAS DISCUSSION SHOULD BE EXPANDED: PAIRIN

Scope of Umno-PAS discussion should be expanded: Pairin

KOTA KINABALU:

The scope of discussion between Umno and PAS should be expanded and not solely revolve around the Malays and unity of Muslims. Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) President Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the discussion must also not be politically motivated because what is important is that the result is beneficial to all. “We fully support discussions that will bring good to the people so the results of this discussion must be beneficial to the rakyat, economy and country,” he said. Pairin told reporters this yesterday when asked to comment on DAP Chairman Karpal Singh’s allegation that PAS’ action of having the discussion with Umno was in bad faith and traitorous to the People’s Alliance. According toPairin, while the topic of discussion has yet to be known, it is hoped that both parties will speak about general matters and not only on the issue of unity among the Malays and Muslims. The Deputy Chief Minister cum Rural Development Minister was also of opinion that it is not wrong to have the discussion and all quarters, especially the Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, should not worry or have doubts about it. When asked about the proposal by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat for the dissolution of PAS and Umno and a new party be set up to unite all Malays, Pairin said it would not cause any harm if it brings good for all involved. He added that it is not impossible for PAS and Umno to merge and form a new party if the former decides to rejoin BN. “There is nothing strange or impossible in this development as PAS was once in the BN fold ... in politics anything can happen,” he said.