PENAMPANG: The establishment of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) in Sabah will provide a new platform for youth to be involved in politics.
Sabah Bersatu chief Datuk Seri Mohd Hajiji Mohd Noor said it was important to include youth in politics as they were the ones who would shape the future.
“We have seen how they voiced out... their voices changed the political landscape during the 14th General Election,” he said.
“Therefore, Sabah Bersatu is ready to provide them with space,” he said at the launch of the party in Sabah at the International Technology and Commercial Centre (ITCC).
Hajiji added that the party was also an alternative for the bumiputera.
Present were Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, as well as former state chief ministers Tan Sri Harris Salleh and Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat.
Hajiji, who is Sulaman assemblyman, said it was a historic moment as Sabah Bersatu was launched by Dr Mahathir, a prime minister with an excellent track record who had brought much development and was a well-known, world-class leader.
“We are confident that Tun Dr Mahathir will be able to revive Malaysia’s image and we believe in Bersatu’s struggles as a national party.
“I disagree with some people’s opinion that (the entry into Sabah of) Bersatu is a form of colonisation.
“If we look at the previous political scenario in Sabah, the national party ruled for about 25 years while local parties could only survive less than 10 years.”
Hajiji said the other considerations for having Bersatu in Sabah included the location of the state and its geopolitics were sensitive matters, with the presence of many illegal immigrants and territorial claims from the Philippines.
“As a state in the Federation of Malaysia we strongly hope that the Federal Government gives more priority to security matters, in addition to bringing in more amenities and development for the people of this state,” he added.
During the launching, seven elected representatives received their membership cards.
There are some 130,000 Bersatu members in Sabah.