Ahmad Zahid: Bring back Malaysia Asal to ensure progress, harmony and unity

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional is working for the return of Malaysia Asal or “The Original Malaysia” to bring about progress, harmony and unity to the country, which it claims Pakatan Harapan’s Malaysia Baru (New Malaysia) slogan had failed to do.

Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the years after GE14 should be enough to convince the people that only Barisan can ensure stability.

ALSO READ: BN cannot rush into GE15 if still unprepared, says Ahmad Zahid

Explaining the idea, he said “The Original Malaysia” was Barisan’s formula drawn by the coalition and the country’s forefathers and was already part of the Federal Constitution.

“The Original Malaysia is a concept that adopts the principles of the Rukun Negara and policies that promote tolerance and loyalty among our people of various ethnicities.

“We must bring back the Original Malaysia and not the failed New Malaysia rhetoric,” he said in his speech at the Barisan Nasional Convention and the coalition’s 48th anniversary on Wednesday (June 1).

ALSO READ: GE15 date will be discussed with BN component parties, says PM

Ahmad Zahid listed down Barisan’s observations on why the country did not enjoy stability after GE14, including eagerness to offer the “New Malaysia” deal, which had affected racial ties.

“The New Malaysia approach to create equality to replace the equality approach initiated by Barisan has widened the gap and created concerns and prejudices.

ALSO READ: PM should consult Barisan component parties on GE15 date, says MCA

“The New Malaysia formula that wanted to ensure good governance and transparency but instead, the power mandated by the people was used to kill political opponents,” he pointed out.

Ahmad Zahid added that Barisan was committed to bringing back The Original Malaysia mould, pledging to bring about changes and improvements to rectify past weaknesses and mistakes.

“This includes putting in place reforms to ensure good governance and transparency and to put a stop to corruption,” he said.