Thousands of youths from NGOs gather in support of Bersatu

Participants of the national congress at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition main hall. -Starpic

KUALA LUMPUR: About 3,000 youths from four non-governmental organisations (NGOs) gathered in support of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and the ruling Perikatan Nasional government, with top politicians leading them.

The national congress, with the theme “Bersatu untuk Malaysia” (Unite for Malaysia), was organised by four NGOs — namely Penggerak Komuniti Negara, Nation of Women, Pemuda Negara and Wanita Muda Negara.

All who gathered were given Bersatu flags.

The youths, comprising men and women from NGOs headed by former PKR leaders from all over the country, converged at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition main hall from 2pm.

Among those present were Senior Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Also in the hall were state assemblymen and state assemblywomen connected with the NGOs.

The organisers said that they expected more ministers from other parties to arrive at the function when Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin arrived later in the evening to launch the event.

The youths are mostly Malay with a sprinkling of Indians and Chinese and are seated a metre from each other with masks and their NGO regalia of flags and badges.

Heads of the four NGOs are currently riling up their members with their speeches praising the government’s policies for youth empowerment.

Penggerak Komuniti Negara is under the patronage of Zuraida, while Nation of Women is headed by state assemblywoman Haniza Talha, Pemuda Negara is headed by state assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin and Wanita Muda Negara is headed by Nurainie Haziqah.