KOTA BARU: Pas, during a meeting of its top leaders yesterday, agreed to continue meeting Umno to discuss the issues facing Malays and Islam. But the discussion must be done through the muqabalah way or face-to-face meeting, and not through a muzakarah concept or dialogue as proposed by Umno.

Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the muqabalah concept was more suitable as the talks would be conducted in a more polite manner, compared to the debate-like muzakarah.

"I want the muzakarah to be changed to muqabalah, as it is more appropriate," he said after the 90-minute meeting.

Besides Nik Aziz, others who attended the meeting were Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Awang, deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa and deputy spiritual leader Datuk Dr Haron Din.

Nik Aziz, who is the Kelantan menteri besar, said the meeting with Umno would not result in a merger of the two parties as it was only to find ways to co-operate.
He also denied that the issue had caused a split among Pas leaders.

Meanwhile, Abdul Hadi said it was Pas' responsibility to participate in the discussion of Malays and Islam, as the party had long upheld the Islamic struggle in the interest of Muslims as well as the non-Muslims.

He said the muqabalah concept had been agreed to by the Ulama Consultative Council and Pas' central committee.

"What is important is that we are discussing Malay unity, as well as unity among other races, and Islam," he said.