Analyst puzzled to see a non-Bumiputera head a Bersatu event in Sibu

KUCHING: Socio- political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi is puzzled to see Dato Sri Law Yiik Mee as the organising chairman of the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia ( Bersatu) familiarisation programme in Sibu last Saturday.

The event was held in the runup to the official launching of the party’s Sarawak chapter in Bintulu on Dec 1.

“This is a direct hit to the Bumiputera leadership in Sarawak who are supporting Bersatu in their efforts to set up a Bumiputera- based party that supposedly better understands the socio- culture and socioeconomy of the Bumiputeras,” Awang Azman, who is from Universiti Malaya Department of Socio- culture, remarked.

In referring to Law’s statement that he was confident that more Sarawakians would join Bersatu following its launch, Awang Azman found it very amusing to see a non-Bumiputera promoting Bersatu when the party is championing Bumiputera cause.

“Many are thinking that Bersatu is only for Bumiputeras. The party’s struggle focuses on Bumiputeras.

“The presence of a non-Bumiputera wearing Bersatu uniform seems to indicate as if the party is open to all.

“This is reminding us as if Bersatu in Sarawak will become another PBDS (now defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak). It also raises concern that Bersatu will only become a ‘ towkay’ party which does not care for the people on the street or the poor voters,” he added.

According to Awang Azman, non-Bumiputeras can join Bersatu as Bersatu associate members who cannot vote or contest in the party election.

“However, there is a concern that Bersatu in Sarawak will be controlled by ‘ towkays’ and the direction of the party will be determined by the non- Bumiputeras from behind the scenes,” he said.

He added that this scenario will put Bersatu in a very different light compared to Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) in Sarawak and make the party ( Bersatu) less attractive to the Bumiputeras, especially those wishing to see a 100 per cent Bumiputera party.

“The presence of Law, who spoke ( to the media) and campaigned for Bersatu Sarawak, seemed to imply that there is no able leader among the Bumiputeras in Bersatu when the party is supposed to be fighting for Bumiputera agenda,” Awang Azman said.

He believed that the Bersatu central leadership in Putrajaya will be shocked by this situation as the agenda of Bersatu at central level is focusing on Bumiputera empowerment and Bumiputera