Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin says the Umno-PAS alliance has to be decided on a common principle that is committed towards Malaysia as a multiracial country. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon

SUBANG JAYA, March 12 — The Umno-PAS alliance has to be decided on a common principle that is committed towards Malaysia as a multiracial country and not restricted to race and religion, Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin said today.

The former Umno Youth chief said the newly set-up committee within the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition has to agree on the core principle of the newly formed co-operation.

“My position on Umno-PAS is that we have to sit down and discuss what the common principles are.

“We can't just get together and decide to play race and religion and win the election. You have to be based more than that, within the context of BN as well,” he told reporters after speaking at the Malaysian Strategic Financial Outlook Forum here today.

Khairy said the Umno-PAS union should be based on principles of better economic justice, growing the economy, and creating more job opportunities for all Malaysians.

“That is a more inclusive approach. But if we say we work together because we just want votes from the Malay community and the Muslims based on issues of race and religion, that is not going to be good,” he said.

Meanwhile, when asked about his support for Rantau candidate Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, the Rembau MP said he will be contributing in BN’s campaign in the by-election.

“I am Member of Parliament of Rembau, which Rantau is under. Of course I will be campaigning for him.

“I am the deputy division chief and he is the division chief, I must make sure he wins,” said Khairy after the forum, which was organised by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI).

The Rantau by-election will be held on April 13 while nomination is on March 30.