'Bersatu is Harapan's key to Felda, rural heartland'

Bersatu's 'Malay agenda' may not sit well with some opposition supporters but the party remains instrumental to Pakatan Harapan.

Harapan secretariat chief Saifuddin Abdullah (below) said Bersatu was needed to help the opposition coalition capture voters in the Felda areas and the rural heartland.

He said Bersatu's involvement in Harapan puts the coalition in a unique position where it could now overcome the difficulty of capturing supporters from that demography.

"We acknowledge that Bersatu has a unique role in gaining support from Malay voters particularly in Felda and rural areas," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Yesterday, Bersatu's newest recruit Wan Saiful Wan Jan conceded that the Malay agenda would still remain relevant and any change would come slowly.

Adopting a pragmatic approach, Wan Saiful said political realities meant no political party in the country would dare take on the Malay agenda.

He said the priority was for Harapan to push through reforms that it could actually achieve such as ensuring the separation of powers and an independent judiciary and media.

"We need to prioritise and make sure our ultimate aims are achieved first, otherwise we will lose everything," he explained.

However, activist and Suaram adviser Kua Kia Soong criticisedWan Saiful's position, stating that Harapan's position on the Malay agenda made it no different from BN. -Mkini