MIC president S Subramaniam today said that possible closer ties between Umno and PAS should not affect the relationship between the current BN component parties.

Notwithstanding this, the MIC does not oppose their cooperation during elections, he added.

"Whatever arrangement which will happen between PAS and Umno should not in any way affect the relationship between BN component parties as at now and the policy which we have. This is important.

"We are not against any election cooperation between the two parties concerned," the Segamat MP told the media in Kepong, adding that the MIC was still monitoring the situation.

Subramaniam, however, said the MIC will voice out against certain policies of PAS during the BN supreme council meeting.

"Some of the policies which PAS has, we do not agree. So we will put forward our stance very clearly in BN (supreme council's meeting).

Asked on whether Umno-PAS cooperation will benefit MIC, Subramaniam replied that the issue needs to be studied further.

"Previously (the BN model) was based on the fact that Umno supporters would also support the BN component parties.

“Whether (the Umno-PAS) relationship will translate into something similar, that we have to study, " he said, adding there may be new dynamics in the relationship.

Discussion, anxiety

Umno president and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has extended the olive branch to PAS twice, saying both parties could cooperate in the name of Malay-Muslim unity.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has warmly received Najib's offer saying the Malays must not be split.

A possible Umno-PAS alliance has generated much discussion and anxiety among both BN and Pakatan Harapan.