Don't become 'cheap' – Kadir on Bersatu recruiting ex-Umno leaders

Veteran newsman A Kadir Jasin has cautioned Bersatu with regard to opening its doors to former Umno leaders.

Without mentioning names, he said there are certain former leaders who no longer have value in Umno but are recruited by Bersatu and this is proclaimed as a huge success.

“I appeal to those who are overzealous in convincing former Umno leaders to join Bersatu to be careful and avoid Bersatu becoming a cheap party and in the process, weakening the spirit of its existing members, especially the youth.

“Remember, they may have left Umno and joined us but they were once our political foes. They are joining us now because their party is ruined. Who ruined their party, if not them?” he added in a blog posting this morning.

The Bersatu supreme council member's warning comes in the wake of news that former Malacca chief minister Rahim Thamby Chik has applied to join Bersatu, which courted flak from various quarters.

Kadir said Bersatu should prioritise its own leaders and members who had struggled in the face of grave risks instead of luring outsiders.

“Let us take care of our own before we court others.. those who knock on our doors only after we have won (the election),” he added.

Kadir, who is Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's media advisor, also noted how certain Umno leaders and members joined Bersatu in search of opportunities and protection.

“After seven months of administering this nation, wherever I go, our people complain that Umno people still control the machinery at the grassroots level and monopolise small contracts.

“So beware. Our victory on May 9 is too precious to be sacrificed,” he added. - Mkini