‘Bersatu members must not be complacent’

SHAH ALAM: Bersatu has made huge strides in the general and state elections but its members should not be complacent, says party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“The transformation of the party happened so quickly (since it was founded seven years ago) that it is now seen as a political party that matters,” he said, noting that the party has 31 MPs and 60 state assemblymen.

Muhyiddin, who is also Perikatan Nasional chairman, commended their coalition members – PAS and Gerakan – for being “true allies in our journey as a political party that matters”.

Addressing Bersatu’s 6th annual general assembly here yesterday, Muhyiddin said that Bersatu’s idealism was to ensure a democratic and just country.

“Bersatu has become a target as we are seen as the political opponent of the ruling parties.

“To our opponents, do not think that all of us will take the bait offered,” he said, possibly alluding to the corruption charges he faced in court, which he claimed was political persecution against him.

Muhyiddin exhorted the Malays on their right to decide their fate.

“Due to the political power of the Malays, they can be lifted out of illiteracy and poverty,” he said.

He said Bersatu, despite being a Malay-based political party, was working towards creating a stable country for all races.

“The government has failed to address the issue of cost of living. The cost of everything goes up, only the rain has come down. A sustainable economy must also have humanity.

“Social justice is significant to the stability of a nation by ensuring a decent standard of living for all. Justice can only be achieved if there is development in the economy.”

He said the “ekonomi madani” under the unity government had no proper target or fair division of prosperity.

“The Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional government has failed to prove that they have proper plans for economic development.

“Economic development is still slow despite all sectors of the economy having been opened up after the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

He said the Malaysian economy was only predicted to grow by 3.9% compared to the projection of 4.3% in April last year.

Foreign direct investments had also decreased as much as 60% from RM55.4bil in the first nine months of 2020 to RM22.3bil in the first nine months of this year, he said.

As for subsidies, he asked: “Who are those eligible for them? When subsidies are taken away, are they then given to those eligible? Will the downsizing of subsidies lead to payment of debts?

“Nothing has been explained clearly to the people.”

The three-day AGM ends today.