UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has rejected suggestions that the Barisan Nasional lynchpin party should join forces with PAS.

Instead, Umno and BN have what it takes to become a credible opposition following the coalition’s loss of power after the May 9 elections.

“I don’t agree to formal political collaborations with PAS. We can cooperate and tackle issues not just with PAS but with any party, including the ruling government.

“This is the new Malaysia, where we want to look at things based on issues. BN should not be an opposition that only opposes for the sake of it,” he told the media at a breaking of fast event in Kuala Lumpur this evening.

Khairy will be contesting for one of three vice-president posts in Umno at party elections on June 30. The party is seeking new leadership and direction following its loss of federal power in GE14.

The proposal for Umno to team up with PAS came from Supreme Council member and Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman recently. He said both parties should join forces to become a strong political block to defend the interest of Malays.

Tajuddin added that Umno and PAS may have many political differences but both shared the common struggle to uplift the Malays and Islam.

He said the unity of both parties was a matter of survival for the race and religion and accused Pakatan Harapan for insulting Islam and the Malays. – June 1, 2018.