My candidacy on Malay platform not due to BN fielding Chinese - Berjasa chief

TG PIAI POLLS | Berjasa president Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz is contesting the Tanjung Piai by-election on the platform that Malay Muslims must lead the country.

However, he denies that this is a racist platform, and says that the party still needs non-Malay support.

"We contested to carry the voice of Tanjung Piai's Malay Muslims, because we are confident national stability hinges mainly on how far the Malays are allowed to lead and be united.

"This will benefit all, including non-Malays and non-Muslims, there is nothing about being enemies with the Chinese or Indians," he said.

Badhrulhisham was speaking at a press conference in Tanjung Piai today.

He said the party's struggle is grounded in the Federal Constitution which provides for both special privileges to Malays, and legitimacy for non-Malay citizens.

This, he said, will be what Berjasa will explain to Tanjung Piai's non-Malay voters in an effort to win their support.

"Whether or not they listen is up to them," he said.

"But they have to adhere to what is called Malay Muslim leadership, as we are the majority... If we want harmony this has to be accepted," he added.

He also stressed that he is the right choice if non-Malays want an honourable, honest MP.

Berjasa supporters during Tanjung Piai nomination day, on Nov 2, 2019.  

Almost 58 percent of Tanjung Piai voters are Malay, 41 percent Chinese, and one percent Indian.

There had been strong calls for Umno to contest the seat in the by-election but BN retained MCA's Wee Jeck Seng as its candidate.

Wee was Tanjung Piai MP from 2008 to 2018, but lost the seat in last year’s general election.

BN's candidate 'not the main matter'

It was reported yesterday that BN's decision to field Wee this time around had spurred Berjasa to enter the fray.

However, Badhrulhisham denied claims that his party joined the by-election because BN fielded a Chinese candidate.

"We did not contest because (BN put a Chinese candidate), that is not the main matter," he said.

He also dismissed allegations that Berjasa will only serve to split votes, saying this is always the case in multi-cornered contests.

He is confident that if Berjasa can get 80 percent of Malay support, and 10 percent of non-Malay votes, they can win the by-election with a majority of between 1,000 to 2,500 votes.

Previously, in the last general election, Berjasa's Nordin Ahmad had contested the Tanjung Piai seat on a PAS ticket, and bagged 2,962 votes.

PAS' assertion that these votes would go to MCA is just the Islamic party’s own opinion, Badhrulhisham said.

However, he reiterated that Berjasa contesting in Tanjung Piai does not mean it is not willing to work with PAS or Umno anymore.

Instead, he said the party is still firmly behind PAS-Umno's Muafakat Nasional pact.

Badhrulhisham became Berjasa president in December 2018.

He is a chemical engineer by training.

He said the decision to contest in Tanjung Piai is part of Berjasa's preparations to face the 15th general election.

Badhrulhisham expressed a desire to see Malaysia break free from an "endless cycle" of cronyism, and said the country is being held back because of politicking.  - Mkini