Turning Bersatu into a multi-racial party is our promise for reform, says Azmin

KUALA LUMPUR: Turning Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia into a multi-racial party is the reform promised by Perikatan Nasional, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

He said this means the party will now represent not only one race, but all Malaysians.

The International Trade and Industry Minister also said that the en masse application by 200,000 members of four NGOs at the Kongres Negara - Bersatu Untuk Malaysia (National Congress - Bersatu for Malaysia) on Saturday (Aug 22) is not an effort to turn Bersatu into a PKR 2.0.

"We are committed to institutional reforms and political reforms. This is a big announcement, that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muyiddin Yassin has decided that Bersatu should open up. We need a multi-racial party after 60 years of independence. We have to move on from being a party based on race and religion, and be a multi-racial party," said Azmin.

He was speaking to the media after attending the national congress of 3,000 delegates from four NGOs - namely Penggerak Komuniti Negara, Nation of Women, Pemuda Negara and Wanita Muda Negara.

Azmin further explained that Bersatu was first conceived to help the Bumiputras but has now decided to evolve.

"I think when Bersatu was formed (in 2016), it was to help Bumiputras. At that time, it was the right decision as they have succeeded to do so to a certain extent. But now as the party belongs to the Perikatan Nasional government, the Prime Minister sees the need to look after all Malaysians.

"As the party president, he has been able to convince the Bersatu leadership that this is the way forward to enable a strong and credible government, ” said Azmin.

He added that the leadership of PKR tried to hijack the idea of reform - where the leaders can sack just any party member or leader they disliked

"The leadership of PKR, what justice are you talking about? On the other hand, Bersatu has been able to provide leadership despite many challenges in the past six months. Muhyiddin is very calm, committed to the cause and open-minded," said Azmin.

When asked if turning Bersatu into multi-racal would be a threat to the Malays, Azmin said that Malaysia is of many races and one should not dominate.

"The younger generation would like to see all Malaysians are actively involved in political parties and the direction of this country.

"We should not allow only one race to dictate. I am so glad the PM and president of Bersatu at least raised and discussed the matter with their supreme council," said Azmin.

Earlier, he had handed over 200,000 applications from members of the four NGOs to join Bersatu to Muhyiddin.