SERDANG: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad urged Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) leaders and party members not repeat the mistakes made other political parties in Malaysia and abroad, which eventually led to their downfall.
The Bersatu chairman cited the example of Umno in Malaysia, Muslim League in Pakistan as well as other political parties in Indonesia and Ghana which were formed and fought for their respective nation’s independence.
Dr Mahathir said these parties were eventually rejected by the people, after their leaders deviated from the core objectives and principles their respective political entities.
The Pakatan Harapan chairman said support for the political parties suffered a major decline after their leaders were found to be more prone in placing their self-interest as well as that of their immediate family members over and above the struggle and welfare of the people, subsequently their respective nations.
“I appeal to all (in Bersatu) to return to the party’s struggles which is for religion, race and the country,” Dr Mahathir said in his speech at Bersatu’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM) here today.
Present was Bersatu president and Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his deputy and Kedah Mentri Besar, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.
Others present were Bersatu’s Srikandi Chief and Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun as well as Armada Chief and Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
The 94-year-old said he was lucky in that he was able to share his 70 years of political experience with the 1,215 Bersatu delegates, attending the EGM.
Taking a swipe at Umno which he had led and was a member in the past, Dr Mahathir called on Bersatu leaders and members to avoid the pitfall which the Barisan Nasional component party found itself due to the stupid mistakes made by the party’s leaders.
“After helping the country to gain its independence, there were leaders who began to use their position for their own interests instead of continuing to improve the livelihood of the people.
“They would do anything to secure their position at the party,” he said, adding that it resulted in Umno losing support at the grassroots level.
Dr Mahathir, one of the oldest Prime Ministe’s in the world, said such leaders only saw opportunity of gaining greater wealth for themselves and their family by retaining their party posts at the grassroots level.
“These leaders are not keen to be with the people who are effective and competent in doing their work in joining the party at the branches level as they fear that their positions were at risk.
“They only welcome people who are ‘bodoh’ (more stupid) than them to join the branch.
“They forget that we, as humans, can’t live forever. Hence, their successors are also someone who is stupid.
“The party branch eventually ended up becoming ‘cawangan bodoh’ (a stupid party branch)."
Dr Mahathir said this was the situation which had taken place when he led Umno.
“ Bersatu must not repeat the same mistake. We must remain loyal to the party’s core principles and struggles,” he stressed.