SHAH ALAM: Bersatu must swiftly move forward with new and fresh ideas, says party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
"To achieve this, I would like to suggest an effort to harness and channel all strengths, knowledge and experience in building a National Reconciliation initiative.
"This effort not only focuses on the amalgamation of political parties that adhere to universal ideals, principles, and values, but I also welcome strategic cooperation with non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, and community leaders," he said at the party’s annual general meeting held at the Ideal Convention Centre here on Saturday (Nov 30).
The former prime minister said he believed that the effort would enable Malaysia to be rebuilt as a strong and respectable nation and to compete on the global stage.
Muhyiddin added that government policies and actions that burden the people must be stopped while reviving the country's economy and finances.
He said that harmony amongst the various races and religions must be returned.
At the same time the position of Islam as the official religion, Bahasa Melayu as the national language and the status of Malays and bumiputra must be must be elevated and upheld without ignoring the rights of the country's multiracial and multireligious citizens, added Muhyiddin.
"For this, Bersatu will hold a roundtable conference with various stakeholders such as social activists, leaders of various religions, arts and culture activists, prominent figures, and economic experts to seek a common ground and to formulate solutions for the sustainability and well-being of the people," said Muhyiddin.
He admitted that non-Malays were still apprehensive in supporting Bersatu with the outcome of the recent by-elections and state elections being reflective of this.
"In the series of by-elections and the state elections, the major contribution towards Bersatu's and Perikatan's win came mainly from the Malay and bumiputra voters.
"There is support from the non-Malays but it has to be increased," said Muhyiddin, adding that Bersatu could not merely depend on Malay and bumiputra support to form the government.
He assured the non-Malays and non-bumiputras to not worry about their welfare and rights and guaranteed that both would not be overlooked under Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional.
"Don't worry. Your rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution will be continued to be upheld.
"Your welfare as Malaysians will continue to be protected.
"Just look at our track record when we were the government," said Muhyiddin adding non-Malays and non-bumiputras were never sidelined at all.
He also suggested that Malay and bumiputra non-governmental organisations should come under a single entity to champion the bumiputra agenda.
