'Bersatu can stand without Mahathir'
Published on: Tuesday, August 23, 2016
PETALING JAYA: With or without its pro-tem chairman, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will be able to stand the test of time and persist in providing strong competition to Barisan Nasional (BN).Its pro-tem secretary, Kamarulazman Habibur Rahman, said this was because those in the party's founding committee have embraced Mahathir's ideologies and struggles."We are those who were raised and instilled with values that are needed to execute and realise the hopes of Mahathir.ADVERTISEMENT "He already told us what is needed. We understand his wishes and although we hope he will be blessed with a long life, we have told him that when he's gone, his legacy will remain and will be executed by the next generation."Kamarulazman also said the founding members were chosen to start the ball rolling, but that there would be more influential names to lead the party once it is officially formed.Bersatu was kick-started by Mahathir to provide a platform for, among others, Umno members and supporters who are unhappy with the way the party is managed under the leadership of its president, Najib Razak, but are not ready to fully switch to the Opposition.Besides Mahathir and Kamarulazman, the other founding members of Bersatu are former Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, former Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir, former Umno member Anina Saadudin, former Bendang Baru Umno Youth Chief Akhramsyah Sanusi and youth activist Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman.ADVERTISEMENT Syed Saddiq when speaking to FMT, said Bersatu is a movement of the people and hence, will exist so long as it remains true to its ideologies."Undeniably, Mahathir plays an important role in the establishment and the continuity of the movement.
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But just like how all movements operate, the ideology behind them will be the driving force for its continuity."This means that as long as there are leaders who are corrupt, who abuse power and who don't acknowledge the rule of law, the existence of a reform-based Malay party will always be needed."He added that besides Mahathir, the party has plenty of other credible and prominent leaders who had abandoned their positions of power and comfort in order to fight for all Malaysians."I personally believe that a lot of Malaysians will join this party not because of the personalities.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"Many Malaysians are just very angered by the fact that the Malay card has been misused time after time to deflect accountability and corrupt practices."So even without us, the party will continue.