SUBANG (March 12): The newly formalised union between Umno and PAS should not abandon the spirit of inclusion that has been practised by the Barisan National coalition, said Umno member and Member of Parliament for Rembau, Khairy Jamaluddin.

Umno and PAS recently formalised their union which subsequently raised questions as to the direction of the coalition's relationship with other party members, MCA and MIC.

"Barisan National has agreed to set up a committee to look into not only the cooperation between Umno, MCA and MIC, but also to take into consideration Umno's cooperation with PAS.

"If you look at the cooperation previously between DAP, PKR and PAS, they came up with certain principles of why they are cooperating. So it is important for us to study and decide what our principles are," Khairy told reporters on the sidelines of a 'Malaysian Strategic Financial Outlook Forum'.

Khairy stressed for the principles to remain dedicated towards Malaysia as a multiracial country in order for the country to practise progressive and multiracial politics and for it not to be restricted to the Malay-Muslim community.

"For instance we can come together and decide that we stand together for economic justice, growing the economy, creating more jobs for all Malaysia. That's a more inclusive approach. But we if we prioritise just getting votes from the Malay/Islamic community by using race and religious issues, that's not going to be good," he said.