ALOR STAR, MALAYSIA: PAS and Umno are not getting "married" just because they are engaged in talks, said Kedah PAS commissioner and Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak.

Therefore, other parties need not worry that the talks would compel PAS to join Umno or Barisan Nasional, he said.

"Why are so many quarters making such a big fuss over PAS-Umno talks?" he remarked, pointing to similar objections when PAS collaborated with DAP and PKR.

"In principle, PAS can see anyone," added the Kedah Mentri Besar.

"I have welcomed representatives from Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) and Chinese leaders who came to my office to discuss issues concerning their communities," he said.

He said the high-level Umno-PAS talks would benefit the Pakatan Rakyat states that depended on federal allocations for development projects.

"It will make work easier. I do want to talk to Pak Lah (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) and (Deputy Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to discuss Malay interests," he said.

Azizan also added that PAS and Umno members in Kedah were like brothers.

In MARANG, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang is ready to continue the muzakarah (dialogue) with Umno if the discussion benefits all Malaysians and furthers the cause of Islam.

When asked whether he too viewed the meeting with Umno as positive, Hadi replied: "I have to get the feedback and evaluate. I too have Internet, I will read and gauge."

Meanwhile in PUTRAJAYA, Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said that the talks between Umno and PAS should not worry people from other religions.

"It does not affect our stand or political ideology," he said.

The Star/Asia News Network