Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said many people, especially those from the Malay NGOs, are disappointed that unity talks between Umno and PAS have failed to materialise.

"It looks like many Muslims are of the same opinion because unity and efforts to fight for Islam are an obligation," he told reporters today.

"When we follow the obligation, we get blessings for whatever we do. If Islam promotes that, then we should follow its way. Don't let politics (political differences) become the obstacle (against) achieving this."

najib tun razak 220509 He also rejected claims that the unity government concept would be against his 1Malaysia concept.

"It does not mean that we would reject non-Muslims because their priorities will always be protected by the government," he said.

He stressed that he is still open to the idea of holding unity talks with PAS as this is "beyond politics" and "a question of our own importance".

He also rejected remarks by several PAS leaders that the proposed unity talks are a Umno conspiracy to cause problems for PAS and Pakatan Rakyat.

"They (PAS) were the ones who came up with the idea of (the unity government, so) why are they accusing us now?" asked Najib.

He also said that the decision by PAS to reject the unity talks did not reflect the wishes of the whole party, but of some leaders only.

"The decision to reject the unity government at the PAS meeting does not mean that the whole party members agree with it," he said.

Pakatan mammoth rally to be held

Pakatan last week rejected holding unity talks with Umno although the idea was favoured by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and backed by his deputy Nasharuddin Mat Isa.

The PAS top leadership had also unanimously rejected unity talks with BN or Umno in a meeting chaired by its spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

Following the rejection of holding any talks, Pakatan Rakyat leaders have now planned to hold a ‘100,000 unity mammoth gathering' on June 30.

According to Harakahdaily, PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub said the gathering was to clear any "confusion regarding lies and conspiracy" created by Umno and BN pertaining to the unity talks.

"We will use this avenue to explain to the people how Umno and BN threw lies and allegations against Pakatan so that they could kill us off," he told Harakah.

Salahuddin added that a massive ceramah will also be included in the programme where many Pakatan bigwigs are expected to speak.

They include PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz, PAS president Abdul Hadi, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang and other top Pakatan leaders.

The rally, he said, will be held in Stadium MPPJ, Kelana Jaya at 9pm.

Manek Urai candidate to be known on Sunday

On another matter, Najib announced that BN would be revealing its candidate for the Manek Urai by-election on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters after chairing an Umno supreme council meeting at party headquarters close to midnight, Najib said his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin will be making the announcement in Manek Urai.

"We have been given a briefing on the matter by Kelantan Umno chief Mustapa (Mohamed) and also inputs from the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings," he said.

The by-election is on July 14 while nomination is on July 6. PAS is expected to announce its candidate on Friday.

The by-election is necessitated by the death of its PAS assemblyperson Ismail Yaacob, 60, on May 22 due to a heart attack.

At the supreme council meeting, party leaders were also given a briefing on the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English by Muhyiddin.