INTERVIEW | Hamzah Zainudin's new political venture aims to set itself apart through a structure that mirrors Malaysia's diverse society while remaining anchored to the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara, said Indera Mahkota MP Saifuddin Abdullah.
Saifuddin, who was sacked from Bersatu in January, said the entity is not keen on branding itself a “multiracial party” as it would rather be known as a “Malaysian party” that welcomes all viewpoints representing the nation’s diverse communities.
Affirming that he and other MPs terminated from Bersatu will be joining the new party, the former Bersatu supreme council member also hinted that Parti Wawasan Negara, as Hamzah previously announced, could further evolve in its branding.
Under the anti-party hopping legislation, lawmakers who have been sacked from their party will be able to retain their parliamentary seats.
“There are parties that claim to be multiracial, but they are actually not. So, we don’t want to pretend that we are multiracial…(as) the party is a reflection of Malaysian society (and) fulfils the Federal Constitution in accordance with the principles of the Rukun Negara.
“So, is it a Malay party? No, this is a Malaysian party. Malays and non-Malays can look at (the country’s) legislation - we don’t want to say many things, because it’s already in the nation’s laws,” Saifuddin said in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini today.
He added that “clarity” in the way the party manages itself, once it has improved its flows, will be key in distinguishing the outfit, guided by the Reset movement led by Hamzah, from self-proclaimed multiracial parties such as PKR and DAP.
Referring to the looming Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, Saifuddin said that while the party intends to field candidates at the polls, its hopefuls could contest under the banner of “coalition friends” due to its “still new” status.
“We've seen in the past that voters are knowledgeable enough to choose the best…as their party of choice. The difference this time is whether we can offer something new,” Saifuddin said.
“Generally speaking, I strongly believe Malaysians want a new face.
“Our new party will show you that a Malaysian front includes new faces, including Sabah and Sarawak figures, who represent youths as well as those from corporate and professional backgrounds,” he added, declining to discuss further details pending official announcements.
Saifuddin’s remarks came as Hamzah and other party members are expected to hold an extraordinary general meeting tomorrow, with several matters set to be revealed to the public following the gathering in Petaling Jaya at 2.30pm.
Hamzah, a former Bersatu deputy president, previously said Wawasan Negara had already received the Registrar of Societies’ approval before he took over the entity and renamed it.
Based on sentiments during the Reset convention in Tanah Merah on June 13, Wawasan Negara appears to be openly aligned with several Perikatan Nasional components, including PAS, with the Islamist party’s president, Abdul Hadi Awang, said to have given the party its name.
Working with PAS
Commenting on cooperation with PAS, Saifuddin today said work is expected to be complementary in a way where Hamzah’s party could play to its advantages while allowing PAS to retain its foundations and principles.
“We agree on wanting to make Malaysia better, but (PAS) has chosen to be an Islamist party - that is their choice. We have chosen to become something else, and that is our choice.
“I think we are looking at long-term planning in terms of nation building. As long as from the early stage, you have certain things that you agree upon, and there are certain things where (an agreement) is not possible - I think that understanding is very important,” he added.
When asked about the direction for Hamzah’s political entity, Saifuddin said that while it boasts around 200,000 members alongside the support of MPs, state assemblypersons, and former Bersatu division chiefs, its leadership is well aware of electoral challenges.
“We know for a fact that if you want to win the next election, you cannot go solo – you must join a coalition. We are working very hard to work in a coalition with several parties, including PAS and Gerakan.
“We would like to become a bridge-builder with other coalitions and/or parties,” Saifuddin said, disclosing that there are hopes for cooperation with BN as well as East Malaysian parties.
Reset movement
Hamzah launched his Reset movement on Feb 14, alongside supporting MPs - including Saifuddin - and grassroots members, a day after his sacking from Bersatu.
Following a slew of disciplinary actions by Bersatu against its members perceived to be aligned with Hamzah, the party either suspended or sacked 19 other MPs elected under the PN banner, including Hamzah and Saifuddin.
The party is now left with six MPs, namely party president and Pagoh MP Muhyiddin Yassin, Radzi Jidin (Putrajaya), Suhaimi Abdullah (Langkawi), Nazri Abu Hassan (Merbok), Azman Nasrudin (Padang Serai), and Ali Biju (Saratok).
The day after Hamzah unveiled Wawasan Negara, BN chairperson and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said any platform should be supported if it ultimately brings people together in support of the national and Islamic agenda, as well as the interests of the Malay community.
Hamzah’s move came amid fracturing ties between Bersatu and PAS, with the latter terminating its six-year political cooperation with the former at a time when other parties solidified their forces to face upcoming state polls and the 16th general election.
Other signs of internal rifts within PN have also emerged, with the coalition helmed by PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as its chairperson removing two Bersatu leaders from the coalition’s top leadership and replacing one of them with a PAS member. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.