Leaders from two Indian-based parties today said that while they welcomed any talks between Umno and PAS, they also wanted assurances that the interests of the minorities would not be ignored.

Both Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP) president KS Nallakaruppan and MIC Youth wing advisor S Vell Paari said that the talks, if and when they do take place, would surely change the political environment in the country.

"Umno must make it clear that it is not involved in any possible talks with PAS only for the sake of Islam and Malay unity," said KS Nallakaruppan in a statement.

Instead he added that if such talks do take place, Umno must ensure that it also incorporated the interest of non-Malays in the country.

ezam nallakaruppan seberang jaya penang umno event 130808 01 "We welcome the election of new office bearers in PAS, especially the return of Nasharuddin (Mat Isa) as the deputy president.

"They have indicated that they were ready to talk with Umno to form a unity government. We are fine with that.

"In fact we think that by extension such a partnership will be good for Barisan Nasional which can then have a stronger base to form a stable government," he added.

His party, though not a member of BN, is a firm supporter of the national coalition.

Nallakaruppan also said that the talks with PAS should be done without any conditions imposed.

"There must be transparency on the talks, on what was discussed and what was the blue-print going to be like," he added.

MCA-MIC partnership proposed

Vell Paari meanwhile said that the talks, if they do materialise, would bring about various implications, be it positive or negative.

"The talks will not just change the political climate in the country. It could be the good of the nation.

"However there will be concerns among many people on what these talks actually mean," he said.

He added that before the talks could take place, the Umno leadership should explain to the BN coalition partners on what were their motives and aspirations in pursuing the unity talks.

vell paari vellpaari "BN members, especially from the parties that represent the minorities, would have some concerns which Umno must address first," he said in a statement today.

He also suggested that two race-based parties in the BN - MIC and MCA - should work together to represent the interest of minorities so that their concerns can be represented in the Umno-PAS unity talks.

The issue of unity talks between Umno and PAS gained prominence in the recently concluded PAS muktamar where the party's president Abdul Hadi Awang and his deputy Nasharuddin have indicated their willingness to talk to Umno for the sake of race and religion.

While they faced stern opposition from within the party and from Pakatan Rakyat leaders, Hadi had stood firm in addressing the issue in his closing speech yesterday.

"Islam will not be with us if we do not fight for the cause as a whole. We cannot just rely on ourselves... we need to meet everyone to have an open discussion," he had said yesterday.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak indicated that he was open about the matter and added that any talks with PAS will have to be decided by the leadership of Umno and BN.

"This is a big issue and I cannot make a decision on my own. I thank him (Hadi) for bringing up the matter and I am open about it. The leadership of Umno and BN must decide on this," he said yesterday.