BERSATU deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu who is popularly known as Peja, has called on UMNO members and supporters to join Bersatu to better champion the cause of race, religion and country.
“UMNO had veered from the cause of the Malays, which has resulted in several present and former leaders of the Barisan Nasional lynchpin being charged and even convicted of corruption,” news portal Free Malaysia Today reported him as saying.
The former youth and sports minister also pointed out that what Bersatu has to offer is not far off from UMNO’s original struggle, which is to glorify Islam, preserve the sovereignty of the Malay rulers, protect the Malay language and look after the interests of the Malays.
“These are causes that we uphold wholeheartedly. We are different from UMNO, which only talks about pursuing the cause of religion, race and country but acts differently by openly defending their corrupt leaders.
“I think there is no other option available to UMNO members or supporters. Joining Bersatu will allow them to hold on to these causes,” he added.
Moreover, Faizal acknowledged that Bersatu leaders including its party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin were also charged with corruption but argued that their cases were distinct.
The former Tambun MP claimed that in contrast to the former premier’s case where it is believed that Muhyiddin allegedly received money that was transferred to Bersatu’s accounts, UMNO leaders who were accused or found guilty had received money sent to their personal accounts.
According to Faizal, the more important question is whether Malay-Muslim parties like UMNO and Bersatu are sticking to their core struggles.
“As far as Bersatu and our partners in Perikatan Nasional are concerned, we are the platform for the rakyat’s struggle,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Faizal lauded two-time premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for spearheading the “Malay Proclamation,” stating the initiative had brought together different Malay leaders to further the community’s interests rather than those of any particular political party.
“This was more meaningful than if Dr Mahathir were to simply return to Bersatu, the party the former prime minister co-founded in 2016. At the same time, being the distinguished statesman that he is, Dr Mahathir is most welcome to rejoin us.” — May 26, 2023
