SHAH ALAM: Stay united and say no to any bait from political opponents who think Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is a threat to them, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu (pic) told party members on Thursday (Nov 23).
The Bersatu deputy president said this in his opening speech at the annual general assemblies of Bersatu's youth and women's wings.
Bersatu Youth wing Armada and women's wing Srikandi are holding their annual general assembly in conjunction with Bersatu's annual general assembly which will be held tomorrow (Nov 24).
Also in attendance were party vice-president Datuk Seri Radzi Jidin and secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin as well as other leaders.
"We were strong in our early days and committed to our struggle.
"Bersatu members did not question the leaders when they were told to go out to bring in more members.
"As we gained strength, some of us forget that our political opponents have approached us as we have now become a real threat to them.
"Unfortunately, some of us fell for their bait," said Ahmad Faizal, referring to the four Bersatu MPs who shifted their support to the unity government recently.
He also took potshots at the current government for not being able to solve problems with the supply of rice, chicken and eggs.
He pointed out that as part of the government under Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Bersatu was able to deliver help to the people.
He also called out those who had used Islamophobia to stigmatise Perikatan Nasional after its win in the last general and state elections.
"The current government had scared off voters by labelling the Opposition as a green wave.
"Perikatan is not a racist or extremist coalition but a people-centric one with the people as our priority.
"It was also during our time that the generational endgame anti-smoking Bill was proposed but now the current government is delaying it.
"Malays are the majority of the country and Perikatan will champion the issues facing this majority for the sake of their survival, without ignoring the rights of other races.
"Our holding up of Islam does not negate other religions in this country.
"The youths and women of Bersatu must speak up, work hard to raise the status of the Malays with politeness," said Ahmad Faizal.
At the same event, Armada chief Wan Ahmad Fahysal Wan Ahmad Kamal said the youths have a duty to rejuvenate the struggle of the party.
"We should come together so that enemies do not pick us out as they did the four MPs who shifted allegiance to the other side," said Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, who is also Machang MP.
Srikandi chief Datuk Seri Rina Harun said that the women of Bersatu have continued to work to bring in more members.
"This struggle needs sacrifice from women despite the slanders against us," said Rina.
Bersatu’s AGM kicked off with the assemblies of its wings on Thursday (Nov 23) and will end on Saturday (Nov 25), with more than 2,045 delegates attending from across the country.
