Hadi talks about Unity Goverment, SIS and Kuan Yew

KUALA LUMPUR, The Sun (June 11, 2009) : There are no “unity talks” with Umno nor fractures in PAS, its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said today.

“There are no unity talks with Umno. None, and God willing, there is no split in the party,” said Hadi, adding that PAS will remain with Pakatan Rakyat.

“We will solve any problems within the party and Pakatan Rakyat. ,” said Hadi, adding that

Hadi, who spoke to press after a meeting of the Pas central committee, said that he would be speaking to DAP chairman Karpal Singh over statements made by him recently.

“(The statements by Karpal), are reported by the media. I have to get an explanation from him,”Hadi.

Asked about the possibility of Pas-Umno discussions, Hadi said that they could only happen under certain specific criteria.

“I prioritise the need for discussions on democratic reform; the EC to be changed, the judiciary to be independent and separate, and for media freedom, these are the initial steps for the government to take,” he said.

“If Umno wants to speak with us on these issues, we will meet with them on these issues,” added Hadi.

Hadi, who responded to questions on the non-governmental organisation(NGO) Sisters in Islam said that Pas did not see the organisation as an Islamic one.

“To us, it is not an Islamic NGO, because many of its views contradict Islam. They have misused the name of Islam,” said Hadi, adding that Pas had tried to correct Sisters in Islam(SIS) in the past.

“We have had discussions with them to correct their views about Islam. We have sent (Kota Raja MP) Dr Siti Mariah Mahmood to correct their views which are in contradiction with Islamic teachings,” he said.

When asked about how Pas would deal with SIS, he said that it was an issue for the government to handle.

“(Dealing with SIS) is the jurisdiction of the Department of Islamic Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Ministry. We can only correct their views and offer views,” said Hadi.

He denied that Pas’s views about SIS had damaged the party’s public image in any way.

“We see rising support from the rakyat for Pas. At Permatang Pauh, at Kuala Terengganu, at Bukit Gantang, and we will win again at Manik Urai,” he said.

“The only ones who were damaged were SIS. People know they speak without knowledge of Islam,” added Hadi, who was asked about the appointment of Alur Limbat assemblyman Datuk Mustapha Ali as Pas secretary general.

“He is someone who is experienced in the party leadership, and I need people to improve the Pas central leadership,” said Hadi.

Asked about a recent meeting between Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Pas, Hadi said that the hour-long meeting focused on issues of national unity and Pas’s views on regional relations

“He wanted to know about the foreign policy of Pas, including relations with Singapore. We were clear in this, and told him that Islam puts peace before conflict, and campaigns for justice for all,” said Hadi, who condemned the violence in Southern Thailand and in the Phillipines.