Malaysia PM holds secret talks

2008-07-21 19:08

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia's prime minister held closed-door talks with opposition leaders in an unprecedented effort to tackle ideological disputes in this majority-Muslim nation, officials said on Monday.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi revealed on Sunday that he met senior officials from the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party three times since general elections in March, when Abdullah's ruling United Malays National Organisation party suffered a major electoral setback.

Abdullah's party and the Islamic opposition have long been deeply suspicious of each other. The talks are unlikely to herald any rapprochement between both sides, but they illustrate efforts by majority Malay Muslims to address ideological differences and maintain their political dominance.

Abdullah said they discussed the influence of Islam on national politics and Malay unity, stressing that the government believes "it is very important that we don't fight about matters relating to religion".

Both the ruling party and its rival draw support from ethnic Malays, who comprise nearly two-thirds of Malaysia's 27 million people. Abdullah's group leads the 14-party National Front government coalition, while the Islamic party is part of a three-member opposition alliance.

Some Malays have voiced concerns in recent years that their community is being split by political differences. Others have appeared resentful that minority Chinese and Indians have made increasing demands about economic and religious equality.

Abdul Hadi Awang, the opposition party president, said in a statement on Monday that his representatives discussed "important issues related to Islam and the Malay race" with Abdullah.

Another senior party official, Hatta Ramli, said the party has wanted to meet Abdullah to debate issues such as a growing number of apostasy cases, which have distressed some Muslims.

Hatta dismissed fears that the talks could undermine the opposition alliance or prompt his party to join the National Front, saying both sides remain "on the opposite political divide".

Anwar Ibrahim, the de facto leader of the opposition alliance, indicated last week that he had no problems with informal discussions between both sides.

The opposition alliance won more than one-third of the parliamentary seats and five of 13 states in March, handing Abdullah's coalition its worst-ever electoral results.

- AP