Azmin: Multiracial Bersatu is part of govt’s reform

The opening up of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia to all races is part of the reforms promised by the Perikatan Nasional government to represent all Malaysians, says Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

The Senior Minister said the applications by 200,000 members of four NGOs at the national congress were not an effort to turn the party into a PKR 2.0.

“We are committed to institutional and political reforms. This is a big announcement by the Prime Minister that Bersatu should open up.

“We need a multiracial party after 60 years of independence. We have to move on from being a party based on race and religion,” he told reporters after attending the congress of 3,000 delegates from the four NGOs.

Azmin said Bersatu was first conceived to help the bumiputra, but would need to evolve now.

“When Bersatu was formed in 2016, it was the right decision.

“But now under Perikatan, the Prime Minister sees the need to look after all Malaysians.

“As party president, he has been able to convince the leaders of Bersatu that this is the way forward for a strong and credible government.

“Bersatu has been able to provide leadership despite many challenges in the past six months,” he said, describing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as “calm, committed and open-minded”.

When asked if turning Bersatu into a multiracial party would be a threat to the Malays, Azmin said Malaysia had many races and that one community should not dominate all.

“The younger generation would like to see all Malaysians actively involved in political parties and the direction of the country.

“We should not allow only one community to dictate. I am glad the party president has raised and discussed this matter in the supreme council,” said Azmin.

Earlier, Azmin handed over the applications from members of the NGOs to Muhyiddin.

“The youths have agreed to join Bersatu to strengthen the party.

“We are the frontliners and prepared to fight for the party’s ideals and struggles,” he said.