INTERVIEW | Bersatu's upcoming annual general assembly, its first since Pakatan Harapan assumed federal power in May, will largely remain a closed-door affair.
Although speeches by office bearers will be open to public viewing, Bersatu secretary-general Marzuki Yahya said the delegates' debates will take place behind closed doors to ensure that sensitive matters are not raised.
"We are still a new party, we don't want the delegates to deviate (from the main agenda).
"Sometimes the delegates get really emotional on stage. We don't want them to touch on (the rights of) other people. We don't want our party... to be one that rejects the rights of others.
"Even though our agenda for the Malays, but we don't reject the rights of others, especially other races, because this is Malaysia," he said in a recent interview.
As Marzuki pointed out, all races are needed in the government. As such, the party does not want a repeat of past Umno AGMs, where certain leaders spoke spiritedly about one race at the expense of others.
During Bersatu's first AGM last year, party chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said that the debates would take place behind closed doors so that delegates can speak freely without fear of media backlash.
According to Marzuki, the same will apply in this year's AGM, albeit with some guidance from the leadership on talking points.
"We are not going to brief them on what to say. We will guide them in terms of points.
"We just can't simply open (the floor) for them to say whatever they like, because we don't want to waste time," he said, adding that each delegate would only be given around seven minutes to speak.
Keeping an open mind
Marzuki also said that the Bersatu leadership should keep an open mind when listening to the delegates' speeches, as they represent the grassroots.
He added that since the party's leaders were outspoken in telling the truth when they were in the opposition, they must be open to hearing the truth now that they are in government.
"Before this (in Umno) when speaking about 1MDB, most would have action taken against them, including myself, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, and deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir. All this for speaking the truth.
"So we don't want this to repeat... we have to speak the truth. The top leadership must make a decision not to stop anyone from speaking the truth," he said.
The Bersatu AGM this year, Marzuki said, will largely focus on fixing the damage done by the previous BN administration, and how to get the country's finances back on track.
He also expects to hear debates addressing displeasure among the country's grassroots on bumiputera issues.
The three-day Bersatu general assembly will kick off this Friday from Dec 28 to 30 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre. - Mkini
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