SOCIAL media users today reminded Bersatu vice-president Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman that they had voted for Pakatan Harapan to replace the corrupt Barisan Nasional regime, not for Bersatu to become the new Umno.

They slammed the former Election Commission chairman for supporting political corruption during his closing speech at Bersatu’s annual general assembly yesterday.

They also backed polls watchdog Bersih’s disapproval of Abdul Rashid’s support for the culture of corruption.

Abdul Rashid had said yesterday that the party should use its position as the government of the day to channel resources and projects to division chiefs so that they could win elections “by hook or by crook”.

While his remarks appeared to run counter to the principle of separating government and party, the speech was greeted with a standing ovation from delegates.

Twitter user @drcolinfu, in a reply to reports of Abdul Rashid’s speech, said that the new government was supposed to crack down on the old culture of political bribery.

“This guy Rashid whatever is stupid or what? Ppl try to rid of Umno warlord culture and yet come along this clown?!?!” he tweeted.

@raishussin, this guy Rashid whatever is stupid or what? Ppl try to rid of UMNO warlord culture and yet come along this clown?!?! https://t.co/K7sezcp9IS cc. @chedetofficial @MuhyiddinYassin @MukrizMahathir

— Dr. Colin Fu (@drcolinfu) December 30, 2018

Meanwhile, @manejemenn sarcastically suggested that the Bersatu vice-president had been influenced by substance abuse when making the speech.

“What is Rashid smoking? Expected better from former EC chairman. You are making it easy for Bersatu to become Umno 2.0. We did not vote for this,” he said.

What is Rashid smoking? Expected better from former EC chairman. You are making it easy for for Bersatu to become UMNO 2.0. We did not vote for this.

— The Management (@manejemenn) December 30, 2018

@AmeerFaris said Abdul Rashid’s ought to be ashamed, as there was no difference between what he had said and the cronyism and back-channelling reminiscent of Umno’s old ways.

“Tan Sri Abdul Rashid’sstatement is shameful, ‘grant tenders to division chief?’ What’s the difference between Bersatu and Umno that valued cronyism and back channeling. This is an example of a veteran who finds difficulty in transformation. The Malays who cheered are also bingai.”

memalukan kenyataan Tan Sri Abd Rashid, Naib Presiden Bersatu. “grant tenders to division chief?” apa beza Bersatu dengan UMNO, pentingkan kroni, kabel belakang. contoh veteran yang susah nak dibentuk utk transformasi. melayu yg bersorak tu pun sama bingai

— Ameer Faris (@AmeerFaris) December 31, 2018

Chan Tsu Chong highlighted the worrying response of Bersatu delegates who had cheered Abdul Rashid’s speech, which he described as more detrimental than the speech itself.

“The more worrying thing is the standing ovation, which shows a bigger problem beyond Rashid. Really disgusting and repulsive,” he said.

The more worrying thing is the standing ovation, which shows a bigger problem beyond Rashid. Really disgusting and repulsive.

Bersatu VP says ‘stupid’ not to use gov’t resources, gets standing ovation https://t.co/UVgzaIhjFV

— Chan Tsu Chong (@tsuchong) December 30, 2018

In a statement today, Bersih said that abuse of power through channelling government resources was one of the reasons why the previous ruling regime had lost Putrajaya.

“Has Abdul Rashid and the cheering delegates forgotten so quickly why Malaysians rejected the previous Umno/Barisan Nasional government just seven months ago?

“The abuse of power by the ruling elite, through the channelling of government resources, corruption and political patronage, was such a revolting stench that it united Malaysians to say enough is enough on May 9,” said Bersih.

It, however, expressed gratitude to Bersatu’s youth wing Armada, which had immediately rejected Abdul Rashid’s suggestion.

“The fact that these future leaders of the party understand that such culture of corruption must be eradicated is most encouraging.”

Bersih also called upon the government to pass laws, such as Administrative Neutrality Act, to deal with cronyism patronage and the Political Financing Control Act to introduce transparency in political financing and funding. – December 31, 2018.