Abdul Rashid stands by his ‘contracts for division chiefs’ call

KOTA BARU: Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abd Rahman is standing by his proposal, calling for the government to grant contracts to the party’s divisions and branches, saying that it is with basis, accurate and timely.

The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia vice-president said he had to voice out the views of division and branch chiefs across the country.

“What I said was not scripted but spontaneous.

“Many of the division and branch chiefs across the country came to me to share their problems,” he said.

He said one must be realistic as money was needed to serve the community.

“How can we repeat the same mistake of the previous administra- tion? We want continued support from the rakyat, not just one term,” he said.

The remarks by the former Election Commission chairman during the party’s recent annual general meeting led to Bersih 2.0 questioning if the Pakatan Harapan government and Bersatu specifically were committed to electoral and institutional reforms.

It also courted stinging criticism from various leaders within the Pakatan coalition.

Abdul Rashid said division and branch leaders often complained to him that they did not have sufficient funds to implement programmes.

He expressed regret that his suggestion had attracted criticism from various quarters, including label- ling him as protecting cronies without giving him a chance to explain the rationale behind the move.

Asked to comment on calls for him to resign for damaging the reputation of the party, Abdul Rashid said there was no reason for him to do so.

“It is just external pressure as the calls were not made from within the party,” he said. — Bernama