Swatting a mosquito party doesn't matter, says Nazri

BN would not be affected regardless of Bersatu’s deregistration as they are like “mosquito” bites to the ruling party, said Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz.

“Not at all. How do you feel about a mosquito bite?

"You just scratch it and you still enjoy it, it's nice to scratch," he quipped during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

He was responding to a reporter’s question on whether BN would benefit if Bersatu was deregistered.

“It is not going to affect us in any way if they’re suspended or not, whether it is good for us or not good for us.

“I think the voters have decided and they know whom to vote,” he added.

The Registrar of Societies (ROS) is scheduled to hold a press conference this afternoon on the possible deregistration of Bersatu.

An invitation to the 2.30pm press conference stated that it is regarding the issuance of a notice under Section 14(5) of the Societies Act.

Section 14(5) of the act reads "Where the particulars required to be furnished under subsection (2) are not furnished within the time stated in the order, or any extension thereof allowed by the registrar, the
registrar may make a provisional order for the dissolution of the society."

Nazri also said that BN would not want to win by “default” through the deregistration of a party.

“Certainly we do not want to win by default in the sense that they are being declared as void.

“I don’t think as a party we want to win by such default. We want to win after a fair and strong fight,” he added.

On a separate matter, Nazri said Bandar Tun Razak Umno division chief Rizalman Mokhtar should be given the benefit of doubt.

“As a trained lawyer, I think everyone should be treated as innocent until proven guilty,” he said.

Rizalman had previously been arrested for alleged drug use and subsequently claimed that he had been set up. 

Nazri, meanwhile, pointed out that Rizalman has not been charged yet.

“Let the investigation by the police go through. Let’s not be judgmental. Let’s give him a fair chance to exonerate himself.

“Nobody likes to be in that position,” he said - Mkini