| Sunday March 18 No talks if Umno rejects pre-conditions Zakiah Koya 8:27pm, Sun: PAS reaffirmed its stand on the three pre-conditions set for the unity talks which was mooted by Umno. PAS president Fadzil Noor told journalists after a party meeting today that the decision will be conveyed to the PAS-Umno technical committee meeting on March 27. Fadzil said the decision was made jointly by PAS’ central working committee and its unity talk technical committee during its monthly meeting, which was held this morning at the party’s headquarters in Gombak. PAS had proposed three main pre-conditions - the return of the oil royalty payments to PAS-ruled Terengganu; that party organ Harakah be allowed to be published eight times a month as before as opposed to twice now; and the retraction of the proposal by Umno to drop the word ‘Islam’ from the names of political parties. “Why does Umno not want to fulfill the pre-conditions? These are simple conditions. If they (Umno) cannot fulfill these simple conditions, how are we to expect them to look at more complicated issues that will be raised by us at the talks - such as the Anwar Ibrahim issue, cronyism, nepotism and widespread corruption?” asked Fadzil. “If they are truly serious in holding the talks, then they should accept and fulfill the pre- conditions,” he added. Fadzil said that Umno should not “main-main” (lead them on) if they are not serious in holding the talks. “All of the three pre-conditions that we have asked for are within their powers. It is not beyond them to fulfill (these pre-conditions),” said Fadzil. On the claim by Umno that the party cannot meet the pre-conditions as it is not the government, Fadzil asked, “Who is the head of the government? Don’t tell me that Umno has to ask for permission from MIC and MCA before they decided to withdraw the permit for Harakah to publish eight times a month. What ‘sandiwara’ (play acting) is this?” he asked. “These (the three pre-conditions) were due to Umno’s decision alone. Furthermore, Umno is the dominant party in the government.” On a comment by a reporter that the case of unity talks now looked like a “tug-of war” between the rival parties, Fadzil said, “We have already let go of the rope. Only Umno is still pulling it.” Fadzil also said that in view of the recent clashes in Taman Medan in Petaling Jaya, the talks should stress on the agenda of national unity. Council of Rulers When asked what PAS will do if the Council of Rulers were to decide dropping the word ‘Islam’ from political parties, Fadzil said his party will fight against it. “We will oppose it in Parliament and we will oppose it outside Parliament,” he said. The nine-member Council of Rulers, who have authority in the official religion of Islam, will meet in secret this week to decide on an unspecified recommendation by the National Fatwa Council. Last week, the National Fatwa Council, which consist of the states’ mufti (religious scholars), submitted its recommendation to the rulers about the use of the word "Islam" in names of parties and other organisations. Fadzil also accused Umno of making use of the rulers and the Fatwa Council for their own political agenda. “Not long ago, they (Umno) said that rulers should not involve themselves politically, now they want the rulers to be involved politically. They are making use of the rulers for their own political gains,” said Fadzil. Fadzil said that if the Fatwa Council is to have credibility, Umno should also allow them to deliberate on Islamic laws in this country. Meanwhile, PAS technical committee head Nasharuddin Mat Isa, who is also PAS secretary-general, said that two more members have been appointed into the committee. They are Syed Azman, a PAS MP and Dr Zulkifli Ahmad, director of PAS research centre. |
| unity talks |