KUALA LUMPUR: Bersatu’s second annual general assembly takes place this weekend. Party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin shares a number of issues, including the party’s direction, future prospects and Bersatu’s role in PH.
Question: The upcoming Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (Bersatu) annual general meeting is the first for the party as part of the new government. What will be the main agenda this time around?
Answer: This is an important assembly following the 14th General Election (GE14), as Bersatu becomes part of Pakatan Harapan (PH), which toppled the previous kleptocratic administration under Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
It is important for us to be stronger as a party, which in turn will strengthen PH that has been given the mandate by the people to lead the nation for the next five years. The delegates will debate on the (policy) speech by Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on how to strengthen our party’s position, boost the people’s acceptance and how we can play a role in the government.
We are not just a political party. We also uphold the PH administration through closer cooperation and understanding among component parties. We act as a team.
This is to help the administration implement the agenda set in the PH manifesto after the first 100 days in government and proposals for transformation and reforms in the government and Parliament — enact and abolish laws; heal the economy and financial situation; and help the rakyat cope with the challenges posed by the rising cost of living.
We have to be aware of these issues and wish to remind party delegates that they must represent the voice of the people.
This is done by looking at bread-and-butter issues such as the rising cost of living caused by the rise in the prices of goods, deciding various forms of subsidies, the drop in prices of primary commodities like rubber and palm oil, the problems faced by settlers who did not receive aid from Felda, and other problems faced by the common folk.
The message we wish to convey is the government is taking steps to tackle these issues, and how we, as part of the administration, can help.
Q: There are allegations that the upcoming assembly is seen as the emergence of Umno 2.0, due to the recent defection of Umno leaders and members. What are your thoughts on the matter?
A: That is not correct. I have mentioned many times before that this party is Bersatu.
Its name, party constitution and policies, clearly do not mention Umno.
Leaders like Dr Mahathir, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and I left Umno, because that party no longer safeguarded the wellbeing of the people and the country.
Much damage had been done such as corruption and abuse of power and thus we left to form Bersatu.
Even though we may look like the characters in P. Ramlee’s old movie flicks, we uphold a new struggle that is bolstered by our experience and knowledge of the problems and weaknesses of the previous party.
When we set up the new political party, we set a new direction, especially now as we are part of the administration.
Many, especially those who fought under the Umno banner, have begun to realise that Umno can’t be defended anymore. Some have stated their intent to join us.
We are open to anyone interested in joining the party as long as they abide by the party constitution. We have a policy in place to ensure we do not become Umno 2.0. We practise transparency and curb corruption.
Umno has never mentioned about corruption. We fight corruption from top to bottom. We implement good governance in the administration. Cabinet decisions are made transparently and actions are taken against those involved in corruption.
This is our direction.
Q: There are also allegations that Umno leaders left their party to avoid from being prosecuted for corruption. Your take?
A: If they are seeking refuge from legal consequences, they are making a big mistake. There is no such refuge in Bersatu for those who have committed offences.
We have explained that Umno leaders who left the party need to undergo a screening process by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and police verfication for any criminal record.
Apart from that, we also conduct political screenings. If they are found to be not suitable and not in line with our struggles, we will reject them.
Only those who are not implicated and have not committed any offences will be allowed to join Bersatu.
Q: The current Bersatu top leadership comprises the older generation. Will the party’s future leadership be discussed at the assembly?
A: We do not need to discuss it as it is already happening. The fact is that Dr Mahathir is 93, I am 71 and Mukhriz is 51.
We have a lot of young leaders like Armada chief and Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and many others in Bersatu and Srikandi.
We have more people coming in and they are being groomed. Take Syed Saddiq for example. He started at the bottom. We gave him a place in the Bersatu Supreme Council, tested him in the GE14 where he won and gave him a ministerial position.
He is performing better day by day. This is just one example. There are many other young party members whom we have faith in and have the potential to be a part of the Supreme Council in future.
Q: Will the assembly help to position Bersatu as the backbone of PH?
A: We are a new party. We accept the fact that we have only just begun compared with PKR, which has been in existence for 20 years. We have to be realistic. What’s important is that we have to strengthen our position first. We need to fine-tune our party membership system to make it more efficient.
What is the basis of our struggles? We are not big but when we voice out on an issue, it would become a big thing for the people. For example, the cost of living which I have voiced out in the cabinet.
The prime minister reacted positively. So did the Finance Minister (Lim Guan Eng). Our (Bersatu) voice may be small but it is effective in bringing about change. What is the use of being a big (political party) but do not voice out on important issues?
Q: With regards to Armada, there are claims that its chief, Syed Saddiq, is too vocal in seeking P. Waytha Moorthy’s resignation as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department. Is the party fine with this kind of practice?
A: In this party, we do not control things autocratically or dictatorially. We are open.
We have young leaders with aspirations and views. As long as it does not go overboard, we are all right.
It is a learning process for him (Saddiq). He needs time to become sufficiently mature (politically) .
If from the very beginning there is already restrictions on him, then it would be like constantly telling ‘No ’ to a young child, which will stunt his potential. In political terms, space must be given. Young people need space to say and do something. If there are any issues, he is also part of the cabinet.
With regard to the issue of Waytha Moorthy, it is the prerogative of the prime minister to remind Syed Saddiq. We leave it to him to decide, based on his wisdom.
Q: What is the future direction of the party, post-Dr Mahathir?
A: It will not change. As long as there is the sun and the moon, and the stars shine and flowers bloom, our cause will remain despite leaders coming and going.
In any political party, the leader will not stay forever. What remains is the the party’s cause and direction.
As chairman of both Bersatu and PH, Dr Mahathir has set the way. Not just in party constitution but also methods, direction, culture and language, which we take into account.
These will become the guide for future leadership. I will leave at a later time. Someone new will take over.
What will the new person do? He will lead, just like what the previous leaders had done. The party will continue, irrespective of the leaders.
What is important is, what the party stands for. We will not change direction, we have to stay consistent. The way forward must be straight and clear. This way, we will continue to get support from the people.
Q: Would you seek to be chairman when Dr Mahathir leaves the post? Would Mukhriz become party president?
A: We have not discussed the issue of change in the Bersatu leadership at all. As of today, it is still status quo. Dr Mahathir is still chairman and I am president, alongside the deputy president, vice-president and members of the party Supreme Council.
Party elections will be held next year, as part of the democratic process. Anyone can vote for anyone. It’s up to party delegates to decide. Should there be someone who wants to take over from me, I am fine. The members would know better what they want. If they think a leader is no longer needed or needs to be changed, then they will do the voting, not me.
Q: What advice would you give to party delegates at the assembly, where the debates may become emotionally charged, especially when it involves issues like race, religion and the economic status of the Bumiputeras?
A: I have advised members at the states to nominate those who will speak on their behalf. They are free to speak their mind.
It is important for party leaders at the top like me to really hear and listen to what is said by those from the grassroots.
Most of them will be from the state and division levels and will voice out on matters of interest and importance to the country and party.
We have to be open about it. We do not need to condemn them or tell them not to say this or that. It will not be fair. This is what I told them.
That is why we do not want the press to come in (and cover the debate sessions, which will be a closed door event at the assembly). We want members to speak freely. We will not impose restrictions.
This (assembly) is the best space for them and we give them the time to discuss.
Q: What message do you wish the party assembly to convey?
A: After the assembly is wrapped up, it is hoped that delegates will go back to their respective places and convey to members the advice given by party chairman and Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir and myself, as well as the focus by Armada and Srikandi.
For example, a large number of them may not know what to do (on the ground). When I come down to meet party members, they ask me what they can do.
I tell them that they should focus on issues close to the people. The party may not be able to help if it is short of funds. This is where the government can help.
However, if their problems are not taken into account, then what is the meaning of the party ’s cause?
What is important is that on returning to their respective places, the delegates will be able to implement the message and together strengthen the party.
Q: It has been suggested that Bersatu is the big brother in PH. After Anwar takes the helm as prime minister, how will Bersatu handle its new position?
A: We have never called ourselves big brother. In PH context, we are all equal.
Of course, there is the prime minister who receives endorsement from the PH leadership. We are happy that Dr Mahathir is the current prime minister leading the PH administration and having led the charge in GE14.
There is already a pact. There is no such thing as big brother.
Dr Mahathir has been democratic as a leader. He engaged everyone fairly and takes time to listen to people, unlike the previous Barisan Nasional chairman (Datuk Seri Najib Razak).
Dr Mahathir knows there is a certain understanding achieved with other component PH parties on who the successor would be. Anwar would take over from Dr Mahathir when the time comes. Some say it will be in two years. It does not matter as it is something that is public knowledge.
With regard to certain quarters who claim uncertainty on the matter, it is all politicking.
In Bersatu, the status of the agreement (for Anwar to be Prime Minister) has been agreed to. We are loyal to the government.
When it happens, we will accept it and make adjustments.
Q: Are you confident that Bersatu will replace Umno and become a rival to Pas in getting the support of the Malays?
A: Bersatu is not a replacement of Umno. Umno will continue to exist. Maybe in the form of small branches but it will still be Umno.
Except if, somehow, it is later dissolved due to technicalities and so on.
In any case, Bersatu will continue the policy that we have set out. That will not change.
Q: In the previous general elections, PH had problems trying to penetrate the east coast states. Will this assembly be a starting point for change?
A: During the assembly, Bersatu delegates f rom Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Perlis, where we did not win, will let us know what our weaknesses are in these states and we will listen.
But this (information on weaknesses) will not just be provided by Bersatu, but also by other component parties such as Amanah and PKR which are also in the states where PH did not secure electoral victory.
We feel this is the way to strengthen our position in future.
We should not feel that the (east coast) states (of Terengganu and Kelantan) will always remain under Pas as history had shown that they can be replaced.
We (Bersatu) are new and not as strong, membership wise. In future, we hope to boost our position, which will help us to influence their (East Coast state people) thinking and win over their support.
