Demand for contracts not for personal gain, say Bersatu grassroots

SM Amin SM Amin Updated 5 years ago · Published on 3 Jan 2019 7:00AM · 8 Comments

Bersatu vice-president Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman's demand that the party hand out contracts to grassroots leaders was met with derision and scorn. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 3, 2019.

BERSATU division leaders asked for government contracts not because they want to become rich but because they wish to use the money to fund party activities, said party grassroots leaders.

A division head, who declined to be named, said Bersatu has not provided the grassroots with funds since Pakatan Harapan won the 14th general election.

The lack of money has made it hard for the division and branch chiefs to hold programmes for the people, he said.

“We sacrificed much before the general election. Some of us sold our land, our cars, used our pension (to fund the party campaign and activities).

“But the party has won. We can’t still be using our own funds. If the party is not going to grant us positions or projects, then it has to send the divisions some funds.”

Bersatu leaders are unlike those in Umno, who sought wealth for themselves, he said.

“We are not out to make money (for ourselves). But we need money for party operations,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

At last weekend’s general assembly, party vice-president Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman urged the government to hand out contracts to division leaders, who would channel the earnings back to their respective communities via programmes.

He demanded that the top leadership used its powers in government to “aid” grassroots leaders and to reinstate the Federal Development Department to disburse rewards to Bersatu loyalists.

This earned him a rebuke from the party’s Youth wing headed by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who is the youth and sports minister.

Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman angered many of his older colleagues when he slammed cronyism. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 3, 2019.

Bersatu information chief Ulya Aqamah Husamudin even threatened to call the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on his colleagues should their demand for contracts be met.

Others in PH and civil society were also offended by the idea of the new government picking up the patronage politics of Barisan Nasional.

Negri Sembilan Bersatu chief Rais Yatim said government contracts should be awarded according to merit and the rule of law, adding that Rashid’s proposal would not work.

Howard Lee, who heads the DAP Youth wing, said all forms of patronage politics, including PH members who promote and practise it, must be purged.

Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) demanded that Rashid be reprimanded for his remarks while the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) reminded Rashid and his supporters to recall why BN was ousted in the last elections.

“Abuse your power to enrich yourselves and those you favour, the people will take that power from you and the law will be brought to bear on you,” Bersih said in a statement.

Some division leaders, however, incensed by what they view as his “insolence”, have Youth chief Syed Saddiq in their crosshairs, vowing to do everything within their power to remove him in the party elections to be held around mid-year.

Several delegates at the AGM questioned the central and state leadership for allegedly “neglecting” the grassroots since coming into power. There were also claims Bersatu leaders were cosying up to contractors linked to Umno.

“They don’t want to help the party machinery. Their offices are now crowded with Umno leaders seeking government projects.

“Contracts are given to Umno leaders. That is why the division leaders are angry,” said another Bersatu division chief requesting anonymity.

Another party insider said Rashid should not have openly asked for business opportunities from the government as it had caused the party to be viewed badly.

“It was also Rashid’s fault for using the wrong choice of words and the wrong platform, for saying it openly.” – January 3, 2019.

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Comments

  • I dont understand. Party activities have to be funded by sponsorship and party members fees. If theres not enough, cut your cloth to fit the purse.

    Posted 5 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • Most of PPBM members are nothing but former Umno members . Apart from the name nothing else has changed . The way they think are patronage , why dont they learn to raise funds . They cannot and refuses to learn from DAP then learn from PKR . Raise funds from the Rakyat !

    Posted 5 years ago by John Fam · Reply

  • The motive to strangle opposition parties is disgusting. This is akin to denying the mandate given by the voters to the opposition parties. Who has the right to say that the opposition cannot work for the people? Any party who is in the opposition has the chance of becoming a ruling party one day if they truly serve the people. This is a democractic country. Don't strangle the opposition parties like what UMNO did in the past!

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Activities on behalf of Bersatu should be from subscription fees or sponsorship from Bersatu...
    Are divisional leaders saying they had to sell their properties, use their pension money to organise Bersatu activities? This doesnt seem right..
    Somewhere the story is not being told as is..

    Posted 5 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • Find out how the other parties sustain themselves and follow them. This is only an excuse to get money for themselves and now they threaten Bersatu that they will resign from the division if they do not get any contracts. Big bluff. Go appoint a professional fund raiser or set up a fund raising committee to raise fund for the party.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lily Cheong · Reply

  • Bodoh dan Korup!

    How so? Fund your business with clean money, your dumbass.

    Posted 5 years ago by Pakatan Bodoh · Reply

    • And your party business has nothing to do with the government. The country and the people has nothing to do with your party. if you cant support yourself with your own capital, please close shop and disappear

      Posted 5 years ago by Pakatan Bodoh · Reply