Bersatu Youth rejects VP's call to use gov't resources for party
BERSATU AGM | Bersatu Youth has rejected party vice-president Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman's comment that it was "stupid" for them to speak out against demands for power and position from grassroots members.
Speaking at a press conference after the conclusion of the three-day assembly, the wing's information chief Ulya Aqamah Husamuddin said they also believe that Rashid's remark made during his earlier winding-up speech was not representative of the views held by Bersatu's top leadership.
"Rashid had said that division leaders must be given tenders and contracts and how government resources as an important element to help strengthen the party.
"We unanimously reject this statement and condemn it," said Ulya who spoke on behalf of Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
BERSATU AGM | Bersatu Youth has rejected party vice-president Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman's comment that it was "stupid" for them to speak out against demands for power and position from grassroots members.
Speaking at a press conference after the conclusion of the three-day assembly, the wing's information chief Ulya Aqamah Husamuddin said they also believe that Rashid's remark made during his earlier winding-up speech was not representative of the views held by Bersatu's top leadership.
"Rashid had said that division leaders must be given tenders and contracts and how government resources as an important element to help strengthen the party.
"We unanimously reject this statement and condemn it," said Ulya who spoke on behalf of Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
"We believe his action does not represent the party's leadership so we came forward to state our objection to the statement."
He also defended the wing's stand that tenders and contracts should be awarded based on merit, including to Bersatu members who fulfilled the conditions.
"Do not worry. But we will not tolerate and will never agree to abuse of power or awarding via direct negotiations to any party leaders, and we will fight against this if it happens," said Ulya who was accompanied by the entire youth exco line-up.
Syed Saddiq, who in his winding-up speech had spoken out against demands for government contracts and positions, was absent as he left earlier to go to the hospital.
Rashid, who received a standing ovation for his remarks, said Bersatu must win "by hook or by crook" as he claimed that it was now difficult to defend its position as the governing party because the division chiefs were being left out of various perks.
When met later, Bersatu strategist Rais Hussin said he believes Rashid's remark was the former Election Commission chairperson's personal view, made in response to a sense of euphoria from a large crowd of cheering delegates.
"Bersatu doesn't stand for that at all.
"Yes, Bersatu takes care of integrity and these are very important, dear and close to us," he said.
"We do not want to repeat the same thing like what happened during the time of the other party.
"Henceforth, what he said was his personal view. It was never discussed in the supreme council, not endorsed by anyone."
Rais also voiced his support for Bersatu Youth's defence of their stand and further said that such practice would be damaging to the party and its reputation.
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