Bersatu lost Semenyih, Tg Piai because the party lacks members, says Dr M

SHAH ALAM: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) lost in the Semenyih and Tanjung Piai by-elections because the party has a small membership.

"We lost badly in Tanjung Piai because we had no workers as our membership is small.

"It was the same in Semenyih because of lack of membership. That is our problem," said Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his speech at the Bersatu Youth fundraising dinner at Setia Convention Centre here Monday (Dec 2).

Dr Mahathir also reminded party members that they must strive for party interests as opposed to self-interests.

"If we think the party is there to allow us to achieve our own interests, we will lose," added Dr Mahathir.

The Prime Minister said when joining a political party, the battle fought is for the party and not for themselves.

He said if party members fought for their individual interests, they will lose, and the party will lose as well.

Dr Mahathir said he hoped the belief that the party was for people to use to fight for their individual interests will be wiped out from Bersatu.

On another matter, Dr Mahathir urged everyone to be self-reliant and not be dependant on the government.

He said when one is independent, in the event the government falls into financial uncertainties, the person would still be able to go on.

He also said his Cabinet members were still contributing 10% of their wages to the government.

"They are earning RM20,000, so what is 10%, which is RM2,000," said Dr Mahathir.

Meanwhile, Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the Youth wing had aimed to collect RM1mil from the fundraising dinner but has received pledges amounting to a whopping RM5.2mil.