Umno: BN coalition inclusive, unlike ‘copycat’ Parti Pribumi

Nazri said that even opposition party PKR was more inclusive than Parti Pribumi as all of its members were accorded full rights. — Picture by Choo Choy May KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 — Barisan Nasional (BN) parties collectively represent an inclusive coalition which safeguards the interests of all ethnic communities unlike Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, Umno leaders have said.

Speaking to Malay Mail Online, Umno leaders said that while the Malay party championed Bumiputera interests, the BN coalition looked after the needs of all Malaysians regardless of race or religion.

They also accused Parti Pribumi of being a carbon copy of Umno, and said that the new party was anything but inclusive since non-Bumiputera members lacked rights and political power.

"I can't see any difference from the party (Parti Pribumi) and Umno. Umno is for bumiputera's and so is it.

"The new party is a waste of time. It is a duplicate and copycat party," Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said.

The Tourism and Culture Minister refuted Parti Pribumi protem committee president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s claim that the new party was more inclusive than Umno as it allowed associate members.

In response, Nazri said that even opposition party PKR was more inclusive than Parti Pribumi as all of its members were accorded full rights.

"Even PKR is more inclusive than them. They allow all their members to have positions and run for elections.

"How can Parti Pribumi say they are inclusive when they do not allow members of other communities to be full members? They are just trying to duplicate Umno," the Padang Rengas MP stressed.

"The template of a multiracial coalition has been established by BN despite Umno representing the Bumiputera. This has been done since Independence.

"They are now trying to copycat Umno and trying to duplicate BN. That is our brand, they can't copy that," he said.

Umno treasurer Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak echoed Nazri's sentiments and said that Muhyiddin was not making sense by claiming that Parti Pribumi was more inclusive than BN parties.

"Muhyiddin boasts that Pribumi accepts associate members who do not have voting rights and cannot contest party positions.

"And he dares claim that this makes Pribumi better than Barisan Nasional. I am at a loss for words," he told Malay Mail Online when contacted.

The multimedia and communications minister added that Muhyiddin should not be so quick to make such statements since Parti Pribumi is not even legally a political party yet.

“Muhyiddin Yassin's statement does not really make sense. He is comparing Pribumi, a party not even legally formed yet, to Barisan Nasional, a multi-ethnic coalition.

"And that was the reason why Barisan Nasional was formed, so that we can have an-all inclusive coalition," Salleh said.

Muhyiddin previously said Parti Pribumi’s purpose is to defend Islam and the Bumiputeras.

Muhyiddin, who is also Pagoh MP, added that non-Bumiputeras may join the party, although they will be restricted to a second-tier membership that does not permit them to contest for party positions.