Pm Doesn T Rule Out Pas Joining Govt If Policy Conditions Accepted

---

When Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as the prime minister of a coalition government last year, he extended an offer for PAS to join his ranks.
While PAS had rejected the offer then, Anwar said he was still open to such cooperation in the future.
In an interview with Time Magazine, published online yesterday, Anwar confirmed that an offer was indeed made to PAS to join his administration.
"On whether we are prepared to engage with them, of course we do. We must.
"And I’ve sent [an invitation] to them ... Yes, I have been open to the idea from the beginning.
"After all, this is a unity government and we do what is best for our country," he said.
However, Anwar said a line was drawn, in that while Islam is the religion of the federation, Malaysia is a multi-religious country and every citizen has a place.
Asked what PAS' response was, Anwar claimed there was neither a clear rejection nor a positive response.
"The political climate is still a bit heated, so we’ll let it cool off for some time," he added.
However, the Tambun MP indicated that the door for PAS to join his administration was still open.
"I don’t want to preclude that (PAS joining government). Of course, contingent upon these major policy conditions being accepted," Anwar stressed.
In early May, Anwar's representatives claimed that the prime minister had wanted to rekindle his relationship with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang (above, left).
This was viewed as the premier extending an olive branch to PAS.
Tackling supremacists
However, PAS as part of PN, has stayed hostile towards Anwar and his government - often resorting to racial and religious remarks in their cause.
Asked how he planned to combat rising "Malay-Islamist supremacist rhetoric", Anwar outlined three approaches.
"First, economic development. A more just and equitable system so that no community or part of the country is seen to be ignored or marginalised.
"Second, of course, is education - because extremism, racism and religious bigotry breed easily among the more ignorant segment of the population.
"When I say ignorant, I don’t mean you’re not qualified, you don’t go to university. I mean the lack of understanding of the total message of a religion dependent on some of the mullahs and sheikhs, with their very narrow, obscure interpretation," he said.
The third approach, Anwar said, was to make supremacists realise that while Malaysia was a predominantly Muslim country, it was still a multiracial nation.
Pardon for Najib?
"We have survived hundreds of years with the presence of Buddhists, Hindus and Christians. There is no reason why you should upset this and cause enmity," he said.
Separately, on the subject of whether Najib Abdul Razak would get a pardon, Anwar repeatedly reiterated that he would leave the decision to the king, and that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong did not need his advice on the matter.
Pressed on what he would do if Najib's pardon was brought to him, Anwar replied: "I will think about it". - Mkini

---