Bersatu veep urges leadership to widen govt powers over opposition states

Sheridan Mahavera Noel Achariam SM Amin Sheridan Mahavera, Noel Achariam, SM Amin Updated 5 years ago · Published on 30 Dec 2018 5:33PM · 3 Comments

Bersatu vice-president Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman addressing delegates in his closing speech at the party's annual general assembly in Putrajaya today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, December 30, 2018.

A BERSATU vice-president has demanded that the top leadership use its powers in government to “aid” grassroots leaders, in a speech that had delegates cheering.

Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman’s demand today in his closing speech at the party’s annual general assembly appeared to run counter to the principle of separating government and party – something that underpins the Pakatan Harapan coalition that Bersatu belongs to.

Abdul Rashid, who heads the government’s electoral reform committee, urged top leaders to bring back the federal development department (JPP) so that activities in opposition-controlled states could be directly controlled by the government.

“In the states we lost, we should not give them the opportunity to fight us. We must bring back the JPP so that activities can be channelled through them. And, division and branch chiefs can benefit from these activities,” Abdul Rashid said to cheers from the delegates. 

Abdul Rashid also said division chiefs must be given “activities” so that they could fund party programmes.

“I am a division chief also but I am lucky because (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) gave me a job and I use the salary to help my division. But other division chiefs and branch chiefs must be given activities as well. If we do this, then we will, God willing, win the (votes).” – December 30, 2018.

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Comments

  • Politic is not about fighting for money and power, it is to serve the people.

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • This is a terrible suggestion to bring back undemocratic practices of the previous govt. The govt's funds are not for individual parties to make use of to win votes.

    Posted 5 years ago by Léon Moch · Reply

  • Abdul Rashid also said division chiefs must be given activities so that they could fund party programmes. I hope Rashid understands there is no more such things as a free lunch when it comes to giving "activities" or more accurately " lucrative projects" because of PH promised integrity and transparency to the people.

    Posted 5 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply