Bersatu associate wing hoping to attract new members

 

Dr Chong Fat Full said that the wing he leads does not fight for race-based issues alone.

PETALING JAYA: Bersatu’s associate wing is drawing up a “blueprint” to attract more non-Malay support by going on a series of tours.

Its new leader, Dr Chong Fat Full, said the wing also plans to organise programmes to promote itself, especially to those who are on the fence.

“There are many groups on the fence who we can attract,” he told FMT.

“Based on our research, many people have not made a decision yet (on whether to join the wing).

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“They are the group we hope to target, and we will also carry out other efforts to attract non-Malay support for Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional (PN).”

The former Pemanis assemblyman was asked about the wing’s efforts to attract non-Malay support for Bersatu after the resignation of Segamat MP Edmund Santhara Kumar as the head of the party’s associate wing.

Asked why non-Malays should join Bersatu when the party is spearheaded by one race only, Chong said that the wing he leads does not fight for race-based issues alone.

“Bersatu’s associate wing is more about diversity of issues as opposed to becoming a ‘champion’ fighting for race and racial issues,” said Chong.

“I don’t think that is the way forward for Malaysia,” he said, adding that the wing now has 50,000 members nationwide.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin accepted Santhara’s resignation as the party’s associate wing chairman on July 28.

Santhara will, however, remain a Bersatu member and continue to back Muhyiddin’s leadership, a source told FMT.

Chong said Santhara, the deputy tourism minister, stepped down from his post as the head of Bersatu’s associate wing to focus on his parliamentary constituency ahead of the 15th general election (GE15).

Chong said he accepted Santhara’s reason as he expects Santhara to face a tough time retaining his seat.

“His area is not easy,” said Chong. “He has to work harder to defend it.”

Chong and Santhara were previously with PKR before the Sheraton Move in February 2020 which led to the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government. - FMT