Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa said the “pact” between the two parties is only based on related issues and opinions.

“I would like to explain. When (Umno president) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi made an offer to presumably form a pact with PAS, it must not be misconstrued as a political pact.

“We are merely cooperating,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

Annuar was commenting on MCA president Wee Ka Siong’s remarks that Zahid appeared to have betrayed the spirit of Barisan Nasional (BN) by wooing PAS.

Previously, Wee was reported to have said Zahid could only do so if Umno exits BN and operates as an independent party.

However, if Umno is still in BN, Zahid needed to respect other component parties before making a decision.

Annuar, who is also Ketereh MP, said it is merely an invitation to come together on issues we agree on.

“The Supreme Council has given the green light for Umno to work together with PAS and other like-minded parties,” he said.

Meanwhile, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said both parties were uniting to face important national issues.

“In the opposition bloc, we admit, there is a need for this. Umno and PAS have millions of members combined.

“In the context of the country’s future, we need to discuss many issues of interest and face national challenges.

“It is not about PAS forming a pact with Umno. We are operating on the same page, as an opposition bloc,” he said when met here today.

Ibrahim said MIC was much better than MCA in terms of its acceptance towards PAS.

“The Indian community may be more exposed to opposing views like these.

“It is my view that MCA need not raise such polemics within the opposition bloc,” he added.