KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 — Umno will invite PAS’ top leadership to its general assembly next month, reciprocating an invitation extended to Umno leaders to attend the Islamist party’s annual muktamar in Kelantan.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the move was a gesture of respect towards PAS, Sinar Harian reported today.

“Umno has also agreed to extend an official invitation to PAS’ top leadership as a gesture of respect and to reciprocate the invitation extended to Umno’s leadership to attend the PAS annual muktamar,” he was quoted as saying at a press conference after an Umno Supreme Council meeting at Menara Dato’ Onn here yesterday.

The exchange of invitations comes ahead of a busy September for both parties, with PAS due to hold its 72nd annual muktamar from September 2 to 5, followed by the Umno general assembly from September 9 to 12.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan was previously reported to have invited several senior Umno leaders, including party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, to attend the muktamar.

Umno Youth chief Datuk Muhamad Akmal Saleh has also confirmed that he will attend the PAS Youth muktamar in Kota Bharu on September 3.

Separately, Asyraf Wajdi said Negeri Sembilan Umno liaison body deputy chairman and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim was appointed to the party’s supreme council with immediate effect.

Ismail took his oath of office before the Umno president and supreme council members before the meeting began.