PAS welcomes cabinet’s move towards national consensus

(TMI) – PAS has embraced the proposal of national consensus from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s cabinet.

“PAS welcomes the suggestion as part of efforts to dismantle and resolve the crises in our country,” said party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (pic) in a statement today.

After several failed attempts at talks between Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and Barisan Nasional (BN), the Najib administration finally agreed on January 29 to hold talks on national consensus.

He had appealed for national consensus with the ruling coalition amid religious and racial tension which he described as having reached pre-May 13 levels.

Najib, in response, said that Putrajaya was open to holding talks with all parties to promote national reconciliation but ruled out any idea of forming a unity government with the opposition.

Abdul Hadi said that any initiatives to work towards peace and unity have to be solidified.

“PAS wants to reiterate that any noble intentions towards harmony have to be strengthened.

“As an extension of that, PAS hopes the government can state the terms and process of the national consensus as a move forward,” he added.

Najib, in his statement, had outlined four areas that would be the crux of the national consensus and would be taking the lead in the bipartisan agreement.

“Unlike vague ideas about a consensus, the government’s national reconciliation plan will be based on four key thrusts – namely, social, political, government and international relations,” Najib said.

After suffering its worst electoral results in the 13th general election, BN has been grappling with multiple issues since the May polls with the Najib administration tackling racial and religious tensions amid the rising cost of living.