Anwar urges an immediate meeting between BN and PR

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today suggested that a meeting to be held between Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and Barisan Nasional (BN) to find a solution regarding national issues.

Anwar , in an Independence Day message said that PR is prepared to put aside party differences for the sake of the nation’s well-being and future.

"In this regard, we believe it is important for the Prime Minister to convene without the slightest delay a roundtable meeting between theBN government and Pakatan Rakyat in order to deliberate on the issue raised and formulate a comprehensive solution,” said Anwar at PKR’s headquarters on Friday.

He said celebrating Merdeka must be about recognising the good that has been done and not repeating the mistakes of the past.

Anwar claimed that despite PR gaining the majority of votes and opposing the GE13 results, still they are willing to hold the discussions.

"Among the topics to be discussed is the issue of ethnic and religious tensions sparked lately , the problem of the economic downturn and the recent rise in crime which has become a serious concern of the people throughout the country , " he said.

He added that the discussions will also touch on governance and clean government which is free from corruption elements and ways to curb it.

Meanwhile, Anwar denied that the meeting is for the purpose of discussing to form a unity government.

He said this type of meeting is commonly practiced by democratic governments.

"No, not proposing a unity government ... in fact, it (unity government) does not arise at all, "he said.

He added that the discussion should be conducted in an open and transparent manner and rejected any proposal to hold it in private.

On August 12 , the news portal Asia Sentinal reported Anwar claimed that Datuk Seri Najib Razak, through former Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla has offered cooperation to form a unity government between Umno and PKR .

Anwar said he rejected the proposal because the fundamental issues must be resolved first.

Prime Minister’s Office, however, has denied the allegations saying that the report is just ‘an imagination’ because there is no effort to create a unity government.