Johor exco member Dr Chong Fat Full joins Bersatu

JOHOR BARU: The state’s lone Independent assemblyman and state executive councillor Dr Chong Fat Full has crossed over to become a member of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

With his entry, Bersatu now has 12 elected representatives, including five in the state’s 10-member exco line-up.

When contacted, Dr Chong confirmed that he had joined Bersatu’s new chapter for non-Muslims, along with Segamat MP Datuk Seri Dr Santhara Kumar.

Asked about the new chapter, he said that they were still finalising the details on how to function as they would have their own separate chapter line-up.

“There will also be appointments to the main Bersatu decision-making body, ” he said, adding that everything about the new chapter and Bersatu’s constitutional amendments would need to be finalised before GE15.

Presently, the party's constitution accepts non-Malays as associate members but they are not allowed to hold leadership positions.

Dr Chong, who is also the state Unity, Trade, Consumer Affairs Committee chairman, said he decided to join Bersatu as he needed a platform to continue to serve the people after leaving PKR.

“I feel that Bersatu is sincere in helping to champion the issues affecting not just the Malays but also all parties now that they have become a multi-racial party, ” he said, adding he hoped that more non-Malays would join Bersatu.

On Aug 22, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the party was preparing to embark on a new chapter to be a multiracial party that embraces all Malaysians.

Dr Chong previously made a mark in the state when he emerged as the first Independent to be appointed a state executive councillor.

Meanwhile on another issue, he said National Day celebrations in the state this year would be a low-key affair with no mass gatherings or parades due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr Chong said that Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad would lead a ceremony to recite a pledge on Aug 30 together with the state’s top leadership in Kota Iskandar.

“We will then have a town hall session to gather feedback for our National Unity Action Plan in the districts for invited guests comprising people from various groups, ” he said, adding that each session would have between 100 and 200 people.