A coalition government of Umno and PAS will be better for Malaysia as it will propel the country forward and strengthen Islam, according to international Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik.

He said he was not suggesting for the two main Islamic political parties in the country to merge, but it would definitely be better if Umno and PAS could form a coalition government.

"I'm not saying that both parties (Umno and PAS) should make it as one party, but if they can make it, Alhamdulillah ...(if not) you can keep your party, you can keep your identity, but when you have a coalition government, it should be a coalition of the Muslims."

He said this to reporters in Kuala Lumpur today after the recording of TV Al Hijrah's talkshow 'Persepsi' programme, in which he appeared as guest panelist.

Dr Zakir, who is on tour of Malaysia to deliver religious talks, has been accused by several groups of jeopardising public order and touching on the sensitivities of the other faiths.

Over the past few days here, he had met with Prime Minister and Umno president Najib Abdul Razak, Deputy Prime Minister and Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as well as PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Dr Zakir, who is from India, said he believed that these political leaders were willing to unite in forming the coalition government and if this happened, it would be wonderful for Islam.

However, he said there might be some people in this country who would disagree with his opinion and did not want to see Umno and PAS forming a coalition government.

Dr Zakir also suggested that more programmes be held in this country to explain Islam to non-Muslims and to remove whatever misconceptions they had about Islam.

He said during his meeting with Najib, they also discussed about the largest Islamic English World Conference which was held in Bombay, India, recently, and that the prime minister had asked if such a conference could be held in Malaysia.

- Bernama