DR M: STAY TRUE TO BERSATU CAUSE
Learn and don’t repeat Umno’s past mistakes, party chief tells members
PARTI Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) must not forget its roots and stay true to its original struggles, said its chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The party must hold on to its principles or risk getting rejected by the people and go down the same path as the country’s oldest and largest political party, which was defeated in the 14th General Election, he said in referring to Umno.
Dr Mahathir said Bersatu leaders and members must not be swayed by the enticement of enriching themselves through illgotten gains, like members of the other political party had.
“We must remember that our victory was not solely because of our strength, but also through the support of the rakyat who had rejected our opponent.
“They were set up to lead us to independence and they lost (in GE14) because they had forgotten why the party was formed. Their struggles were no longer about the spirit of nationalism or for the people, but to enrich themselves and their families.
“They thought they would continue to have the support of the people, whom they thought liked money. But the rakyat got tired
and angry, and rejected them.
“We must learn from this and remind ourselves of this reality. We will end up like them if we forget our original struggles.
“We won because of their weaknesses and we must learn from their failures and characteristics,” said Dr Mahathir.
He said this at Bersatu’s third anniversary celebration in Dataran Kemerdekaan on Thursday night.
Present were Dr Mahathir’s wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his deputy, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir. PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali was also a guest at the event.
Dr Mahathir also said Bersatu had become successful despite being only three years old. He said when Bersatu was formed, it had no hope of becoming a part of the government.
“But Alhamdulillah, we gained power and became the government.
“However, we must use our power well and not abuse it by getting involved in corruption. We must stay away from doing any wrong.
“If we hold on to our original struggles, we will get to celebrate our fourth party anniversary, seventh, 10th and even 100th,” he said.