'Dr M initially disliked idea of Bersatu branching out to Sabah'
INTERVIEW | Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad was initially not keen on the idea of the party stepping into Sabah, revealed supreme council member Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen...
INTERVIEW | Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad was initially not keen on the idea of the party making its debut in Sabah, revealed supreme council member Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen.
He said the prime minister only changed his mind after seeing the overwhelming number of requests for Bersatu to set up branches in the East Malaysian state.
Rafiq, who has been tasked with helping to coordinate the setting up of Bersatu in Sabah, said the party had initially received requests from former Sabah Umno leaders and members who no longer believe in the Malay-based party's struggle.
"Actually, it was not Bersatu's intention to set foot in Sabah. It was not the party who made the request, but it was made by (some) Sabahan leaders.
"They were former supporters of Umno who no longer have confidence in Umno's struggle.
"It was based on these requests... although at the initial stage, Dr Mahathir was quite reluctant to agree.
"Because maybe at that time, he and (Bersatu president) Muhyiddin (Yassin) thought that these requests were not serious enough to consider setting up (branches) in Sabah.
"However, after (seeing) overwhelming requests were made to (Bersatu) headquarters, then we thought that there is a valid reason (to have presence in Sabah).
"The requests also came from NGOs and apolitical figures who have confidence in Bersatu, when they came to our office bringing 5,000 new membership (applications)," he said during an interview on Wednesday, held in conjunction with the launch of Bersatu Sabah scheduled for tomorrow.
According to Rafiq, Bersatu supporters in Sabah wanted the party to establish itself in the state because they believe it can be a better alternative to Umno in fighting for the welfare of Bumiputera.
He also said that Warisan had voiced displeasure when the idea was first brought up.
However, Rafiq added, Warisan president Shafie Apdal, who is a former Umno vice-president, proved to be a "leader with a big heart" when he set aside objections and looked at the bigger picture of Bersatu's entry to Sabah.
"Although there was what is seen as rejection (from Warisan) in the initial stage, I believe that it was not a personal (objection) by Shafie, as he had always have good relationship with Dr Mahathir, Muhyiddin and (Bersatu deputy president) Mukhriz Mahathir.
"They all used to be together in Umno. Maybe the objection came from several Warisan leaders.
"However, after discussions between Shafie and Mahathir, and meetings with Muhyiddin and Mukhriz, in the end, the press conference held by Shafie had itself shown that he is a leader with big heart, who set aside some sentiments and looked (at the matter) from a holistic point of view," he said.
State with largest number of Bersatu members
Rafiq said the launch of Sabah Bersatu would mark another milestone for the party as it had already received over 104,000 membership applications from the state as of Wednesday.
This, he pointed out, would make Sabah the state with largest membership base for Bersatu, superceding Johor and Kedah.
Rafiq said they received overwhelming support from bumiputeras in Sabah as more of them would be eligible to join the party compared to Umno, which only caters to Malays.
Sabahans should also make Bersatu their party as it allows for members from any state to become leaders at its central level, he added.
"There is no barrier for Sabahans to even become the chairperson of Bersatu, or president, or hold any top positions including the Youth chief and Srikandi (Women's wing).
"I do not agree (with some saying) that Bersatu belongs exclusively to the Peninsula, or the Malays. It belongs to all of us (party members)," he said.
Rafiq added that the launching ceremony, which will be officiated by Mahathir tomorrow, would see "some surprises" whereby more state assemblypersons and MPs will be joining the party. However, he declined to reveal who they are.
Part 2: Sabah the game changer in M'sian politics, says state Bersatu coordinator
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