KJ: Umno-PAS need more than race, religion in Rantau

Umno and PAS must offer more than just racial and religious rhetoric during the Rantau by-election campaign, said Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin.

"My position is that Umno and PAS must sit down and discuss the common principles (for cooperation).

"We cannot just decide to play race and religion to win election. (We) need more than that," said Khairy, whose constituents include those who vote in Rantau.

He was speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the "Malaysian Strategic Financial Outlook Forum: Governing in Times of Heightened Public Scrutiny and Accountability Demands" in Petaling Jaya today.

Khairy was asked his thoughts, as a moderate figure in Umno, on the official cooperation by the two parties.

Khairy also said that cooperation between Umno and PAS must take into account that the core principle behind Malaysia is that it is a multi-ethnic country.

He said the new political pact should be committed to ensuring Malaysia remains a multi-ethnic country which practices progressive politics.

"In Umno continuing to work with PAS, MIC and MCA, it must be based on core principles of Malaysia as a multiracial country. It is critical we identify these issues.

f we look at DAP, PKR and PAS (when they were called Pakatan Rakyat), they came up with certain principles on why they cooperate.

"Today it is important to discuss and study in order to come up with what those principles are," he said.

He said common principles could cover economic justice, boosting the economy, increasing the number of jobs and giving opportunities to all Malaysians.

"If we say we work together because we want more votes from the Malay Muslim community, that is not good," he said. - Mkini