Don't dismiss Dr M's invitation to join Bersatu, Khairy tells Umno

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno should give serious thought to the invitation to join hands with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), says Rembau MP, Khairy Jamaluddin.

"Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is worried that Malay politics is too fractured, which is correct. 

"I know a lot of people dismissed what he said yesterday (July 5). I think that's a bit arrogant.

"I think he is coming with the right motivation. 

"We may have disagreements with Dr Mahahir on many things, but on the issue of the Malay grounds being fractured, I think that's right," said Khairy.

He made the comment when asked to comment on the suggestion by Dr Mahathir to bring all Malays under the one big political party of Bersatu.

Khairy said there was no need to debate which party should join which party, but there should be more discussion of the issue raised by Dr Mahathir about the Malays being divided politically due to there being so many Malay-based political parties.

"It doesn't help that we have statements saying it's not that Umno should join Bersatu, it's Bersatu that should join Umno – that's besides the point. That is for later. 

"This is not a contest about who has the biggest party. This is about something more fundamental (Malay unity)," said Khairy.

When asked if he would personally be open to jumping to Bersatu, Khairy said the worry over everyone "jumping into one house" might spell the end to a strong opposition.

"I don't know how the permutation will be, who will join what. But I think the current fractured state of Malay politics is of fundamental concern. 

"I also do think at the same time that we need a good opposition.

"So, if the end result of this is that everyone jumps in, that's not good also. It's one thing about the Malay parties being fractured, it's another thing when everyone all jumps into one house and then there is no opposition, that's bad as well. 

"So I don't know. Maybe if Umno wants to join Bersatu, I will stay as the sole opposition," quipped Khairy.

He was speaking to the media after a session at a Future of Work forum organised by Alumni Alliances in Sasana Kijang on July 6.