Founding members of Bersatu reach out to the rakyat

PETALING JAYA: In an open letter to the public, the founding members of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) said the party hopes to serve as an instrument to save Malaysia.
"Malaysia after independence was successfully developed by Malaysian citizens and their representatives until it attained prominence for its rapid development.
"Many third world countries believe that Malaysia is an exemplary country," the seven founding members of Bersatu said in an open letter posted on the blog of former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
They then listed the ills that have befallen the country such as corruption, lack of adherence to the principles of democracy, high cost of living because of the Goods and Services Tax, hike in quit rent, reduction of petrol subsidy and the retraction of the tax-free status for Langkawi and Labuan.
Among others, they pledged to return democracy and the rule of law, dismantle weaknesses in the system that can be misused by elected leaders and ensure fiscal management is governed by laws so the prime minister cannot conceal expenditure.
They also said education and training will be provided on a large scale to all races and that sufficient aid will be provided to the poor and disabled.
"We as the new party's founders believe it is high time for the rakyat to save this country. If not, all that we have enjoyed will be destroyed and both we and our grandchildren will return to being destitute with no dignity.
"We believe that we are experienced and possess the ideas to restore the economy and the country's political situation which we will explain from time to time," they said, ending with a note urging the public to join the party.
The seven founding members of Bersatu are Mahathir, former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, former Kedah mentri besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, former Umno member Anina Saadudin, chairperson of a group of rebel Umno branch chiefs (Gabungan Ketua Cawangan Malaysia, or GKCM) Kamarulzaman Habibur Rahman, former Bendang Baru Umno Youth chief Akhramsyah Sanusi and student group Challenger leader Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman.