"God-willing, nothing is impossible. If we are to look at history, there were more crucial times in 1969 but in the end we were able to come up with a formula – the formation of the BN coalition together with PAS," he said in a meeting of Terengganu Umno leaders on Saturday night.

Ahmad Shabery, who is Kemaman MP, said there was no reason for Umno and PAS to come up with a formula for the sake of the country and its future, and the merger should not be viewed only for Malays and Islam but in a wider context.

"If there is genuine intention to see unity among the Malays and Islam, I think it is best that we go back to the beginning, that is the pact that was once formed which is Umno.

"If we are sincere in unity, the question on what form it is going to be is not important. The crucial thing is our willingness to sit down and discuss the matter," he said .

In Johor Baru, Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein described the proposal as premature. He said it was not impossible for the proposal to be implemented, but it should be carried out in stages taking into consideration the public interest. "It's too early to think in this direction because what we are discussing now (muqabalah) concerns the ummah in a bigger context such as in the field of education."

In Rawang, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said unification of the Malays and the creation of a new party for everyone did not mean that Umno and PAS should be dissolved. He said there were various ways to achieve this objective including having dialogues or the muzakarah  which should be continued to maintain political stability.

"There is no need to dissolve (the existing parties). It's just that there are many ways to achieve solidarity because each party has its own cause."

> Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye said he was confident Umno will not be lulled into a proposal to set up a new Islam-based political party.

"I am confident that especially after the (last) general election, Umno will be seeking to get a more broad-based political stand encompassing all Malaysians."

He told  Llew-Ann Phangin a telephone interview: "What we all need at this juncture is a more broad-based political party that can encompass the aspirations and needs of all Malaysians."

Chia said Nik Aziz's proposal on Saturday that the new Islam-based party would enable the religion to be the protective umbrella for all the people, including non-Muslims, showed PAS and its leaders' inconsistency.

"First they opposed any talk and now they take the extreme to ask for a merger. This suggestion should be rejected by all right-thinking Malaysians," Chia said, adding that there are more urgent matters like the economy and the food and fuel crises

> MCA vice-president Datuk Donald Lim said Nik Aziz's proposal was disrespectful of non-Muslims in Malaysia's multi-cultural and multi-religious society.

"I think anyone can give any proposal but most importantly, I believe Umno will not take that proposal seriously because under the BN, Umno and the other component parties have done reasonably well for the country.

"Of course we need to improve further but the proposal was not made in the interest, nor was it respectful, of non-Muslims in the country.

"He was not concerned with the other races and it is punishing and unfair," Lim said, adding that MCA will constantly remind Umno of Malaysia being a multi-racial and multi-religious country.

> DAP chairman Karpal Singh labelled the new development as startling and one that has "serious ramifications, implications and consequences".

"Nik Aziz's statement reduces to naught (PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul) Hadi Awang’s statement in Ipoh that PAS would not merge with Umno or join BN.

"Obviously, PAS leaders' statements of late give the perception that they are out to scuttle the Pakatan Rakyat (PR)," Karpal said.

He said that people voted along non-racial lines on March 8 and the current situation was contrary to the people’s expectations.

"Instead of working towards a non-racial policy to unite all Malaysians, PAS has chosen to make efforts to unite all Malays," he noted.

Further, Karpal questioned PAS's sincerity in the PR coalition, citing its talks with Umno to form a coalition government in Selangor, describing it as an act of bad faith as both DAP and PKR were not informed of the move, and the current talks being held in the name of Malay unity.

"Such a racial move by PAS is incongruous with the policies of DAP and PR. Here again, the DAP was not informed of such a move although Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) said he had been informed.

"PAS should not and cannot be allowed to run with the hares and hunt with the hounds lest it be devoured by the hounds," Karpal said.