Bersatu must not become Umno, says Youth chief

Sheridan Mahavera Sheridan Mahavera Updated 7 years ago · Published on 29 Dec 2018 10:31AM · 3 Comments

Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman says Bersatu cannot become Umno 2.0 because the splinter party has not a patch on the Malay nationalist party when it comes to hypocrisy. – The Malaysian Insight file pic by Seth Akmal, December 29, 2018.

BERSATU Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has warned the party against turning into Umno as it considers letting in dozens of defectors knocking at the door.

The youth and sports minister warned party members not to take up Umno’s racial and religious rhetoric just to get votes.

“Don’t become Umno 2.0 or Umno 3.0… Many have said Bersatu is becoming Umno. Bersatu is not Umno, Bersatu cannot be Umno. Bersatu does not need to play money politics,” Syed Saddiq said in his policy speech at the first Bersatu Youth annual general assembly.

“Bersatu does not need to sell out the country for political survival. Bersatu does not need to be a hypocrite and play up racial issues for politics,” he said to loud cheers.

Three-year-old Bersatu is in the quartet that make up  Pakatan Harapan, which defeated the Barisan Nasional coalition in GE14. Unlike BN, whose member parties are race-based, three of PH’s four component members are multi-ethnic.

Due to its Malay-Muslim-only membership policy  and for championing the community’s causes, Bersatu his often compared to Umno and dubbed the “Umno of PH”.

Bersatu has also been deluged with applications for admission from ex-Umno members, including the leaders and elected representatives. Three MPs have quit the party and joined Bersatu in the past seven months. Six more Umno MPs who recently recently quit the party declared their support for Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is the Bersatu chairman.

These developments have stoked fears that Bersatu would inherit Umno’s bad habits along with its members. Syed Saddiq focused on these problematic Umno traits in his speech today.

“Win or lose Putrajaya, Bersatu cannot use Umno’s practices for political survival. This makes us different from them… Our party has principles and is responsible.

“Maybe we can hoist the keris and declare that we are warriors for Malays and Islam. Or maybe we can increase our votes by playing up communal fears and prejudices to allow us to win the election,” he said with irony. – December 29, 2018.
 

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Comments

  • If Bersatus ideologies are fair, equitable without unfair and compromising treatment to any race, then it cant go wrong.
    Show all the citizens, that you are a fair, clean & unbiased party working in the interests of all Malaysians.

    Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • Syed Saddiq.... those are nice words to hear.. good propaganda..
    But dont you think its better to put in practice than just TALK!!??

    Posted 7 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • Isnt it already like umno?
    Why, just look at you: demanding for the resignation of a cabinet colleague?
    Are you assuming the rakyat is too daft to know where all this would end up eventually?
    Yessiree, umno 3.0!

    Posted 7 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply