PBS objects to new party using 'Bersatu'
Published on: Friday, August 12, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has submitted an objection to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) in Kuala Lumpur on the use of acronym 'Bersatu' in the registration of a new party – 'Parti Pribumi Bersatu (Bersatu)' – by the former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.PBS Secretary-General Datuk Johnny Mositun (pic) said the word 'Bersatu' has been the PBS slogan since the party was incepted in early 1985 and has been vocalised by the party members.He said the letter of objection to the RoS headquarters was sent recently.
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"The 'Bersatu' slogan has been the blood and flesh of the PBS loyal supporters and members to freshen up and enliven their spirit and struggle through the party each time during party gatherings and meetings."If the slogan were to be allowed in the registration of the new party, then it will create double reference as it would be the slogan for PBS and the slogan of the new opposition party that aims to topple the Barisan Nasional (BN) government," he said in a statement, Thursday.Hence, Mositun said PBS hopes the RoS would pay serious attention on their objection and consider prohibiting the use of the 'Bersatu' acronym in the registration of the new party to avoid confusion that could happen between the supporters of the government and the opposition parties. Meanwhile, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed's Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia will have a hard time getting support in comparison to the former's now defunct Parti Melayu Semangat 46 (S46)."S46 was different. We were formed because many Umno members were not allowed to join the new party that Dr Mahathir formed when Umno was split," said Tengku Razaleigh at the opening of a cultural heritage exhibition fair of Malay and Chinese artifacts at the Museum of Asian Art at University of Malaya.
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"We formed S46 more easily because Umno was split from top to bottom. So it was easier for us to set up divisions and branches from those Umno members who were not allowed to join the new Umno," he said.However, Tengku Razaleigh said Dr Mahathir's new party doesn't have the grassroots support and would have to "start from the bottom."
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"He doesn't want just anyone to join, so to form a branch or division won't be easy," he said.Parti Pribumi only offers full memberships to Bumiputras, Orang Asli, Sabahans and Sarawakians, while other Malaysians can be associate members. Associate members cannot contest for posts and will not be able to vote in party polls."If associate members cannot vote, they cannot determine the direction of the party," said Tengku Razaleigh."If the party does not represent all the different ethnicities, I feel that it will be difficult for it to attract support," he said."More young people are open-minded, with education and exposure to the prevailing situation in our country," he added.Asked if he would join Parti Pribumi, Tengku Razaleigh said: "I'm already a member of Umno.""I'm still a member of Umno and I don't see anything wrong with that. If I see anything wrong, I think I have to provide ideas, suggestions or proposals within the party," he said.Tengku Razaleigh left Umno to form S46 in 1988.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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