‘Bersatu doesn’t condone graft’

BANGKOK: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will not be like the current Umno, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Mahathir, who is also Bersatu chairman, said the party was different from Umno as it did not condone or tolerate corruption.

“We don’t want Bersatu to become like Umno ... become corrupt. Bersatu will be more like the Umno that was formed in 1946.

“At that time, Umno was dedicated to give good governance for Malaysians and gaining independence.

“But the Umno led by Najib (former prime minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) is more about stealing money and living the good life on stolen money,” he said in a question-and-answer session with the Malaysian diaspora here on Thursday.

Dr Mahathir said Bersatu was formed after he left Umno as the then opposition could not get the support of the rural Malays.

He said it was necessary to get the Malay votes, especially from the rural areas, to win.

“In the 13th General Election and even in the one in 2008, the Malays in the rural area seemed reluctant to change the government.

“They kept voting Umno, they were loyal to Umno.

“So we formed a Malay party so we can get the support from the rural Malays, if not it would be difficult to form the government,” he said.

To another question on gender bias, Dr Mahathir said although Malaysia had a big Muslim population, there were no restrictions on women.