Khairy says Umno does not need PAS

But the former Youth chief does not reject working together with the Islamist party for the purpose of winning the Sungai Kandis by-election.

Khairy Jamaluddin says Umno must stand on its own.

KLANG: Khairy Jamaluddin today indicated that he was not in favour of any cooperation with PAS, in a break from senior Umno leaders who said they were ready to work together with the Islamist party.

The Rembau MP and former Umno Youth leader said Umno should not rely on others to win.

“Cooperation is good but Umno needs to stand on its own. Why do we have to depend on another party?” he said today when campaigning in Sungai Kandis, where Barisan Nasional’s Lokman Noor Adam is standing against PKR’s Zawawi Mughni in the Aug 4 by-election.

PAS is staying away from the by-election, saying it was to avoid splitting opposition votes. But the party has stopped short of urging its members to vote for BN.

The state seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent Mat Shuhaimi Shafie on July 2.

On Wednesday, Najib Razak urged Umno and PAS to bury their past animosity and work together in the interest of Islam.

“We must do whatever we can to uphold Islam but at the same time taking into interest the religions of the other communities,” the former Umno president said during a visit to Sungai Kandis.

Lokman too had said he was in favour of approaching PAS to support him in Sungai Kandis.

Khairy today said it was okay to cooperate with PAS if the aim was specifically to win in Sungai Kandis.

Meanwhile, he said voters should ensure a stronger opposition by supporting BN, saying it would result in “better checks” both in Selangor and at the federal level.

“When we have more voices from the opposition side, the federal government will be more accountable,” he said when campaigning in Sungai Kandis. -FMT