Bersama, which was formerly known as Parti
Demokratik Setiahati Kuasa Rakyat Bersatu Sabah or Setia, seems to have
stirred political interest.
KOTA KINABALU:
A Sabah-based political party known as Parti Bersatu
Sasa Malaysia (Bersama) is poised to play a “role” in the coming 13th
general election.
Bersama, a national level political party, was formerly known as
Parti Demokratik Setiahati Kuasa Rakyat Bersatu Sabah or Setia. It was
formed in 1994 by Shuhaidin Langkap.
Setia was thrust into the limelight earlier this year following
speculations that former PKR vice- president Jeffrey Kitingan was
interested in the party.
Sources close to Bersama said “certain non-aligned opposition groups”
in Sabah had shown keen interest in the party in recent weeks.
This has spawned speculations that Bersama could pose a potential
threat to both the ruling Barisan Nasional and the opposition Pakatan
Rakyat coalitions going into the general election.
Bersama president, Shuhaidin, 62, is however tight-lipped. He has refused to disclose his immediate plans for the party.
But what is known is that he had left most of the presidential duties
in Sabah to one of his deputy presidents, Phillip Among, who was
previously closely linked to Jeffrey.
Aiming to boost membership
Among, 42, a young entrepreneur, when approached by FMT today, said
Bersama was re-organising itself in Sabah with special attention to
party focuses.
“Firstly, I’m humbled by this enormous responsibility bestowed upon
me by the president to help him strengthen Bersama divisions in Sabah
and to reach out to more people, especially the young Sabahans.
“The president and his committee have decided to create three chapters, each for Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.
“Each chapter works independently, and this is something fresh about this party,” he said.
According to Among, the central committee provides leadership and guidance to adhere to the party constitution.
“The central leadership wants to provide the much-needed platform to
the rising expectation of our young generation today… that is the noble
intention of our president,” he added.
Among also said Bersama supports the Borneo Agenda put forward by
Jeffrey and that the party leadership would be at UBF’s function
tomorrow in Keningau to commemorate Malaysia Day, and from there will
join UBF convoy to Entilibon, Telupid, for its state-wide celebration.
Already taking part in the UBF programmes is Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).
Open to ties with Pakatan
Asked about a possible cooperation with SAPP or the Pakatan
coalition, Among said: “We are open to the idea but the question of
working with Pakatan and SAPP has not arisen yet at this time, but
reaching the people is.”
“One of the priorities is the Borneo Agenda but Bersama is already
wanting to look beyond Borneo Agenda… the advanced direction beyond this
agenda.
“Our hope is the young generation, and here we have a political platform now…
Meanwhile, Shuhaidin, when launching Bersama’s wing in Kedah a few
months back, announced that his party would want to contest in all
states in the coming general election.
The veteran politician from Keningau had in March made major changes to Setia including renaming it Bersama.
Shuhaidin had at the time said Bersama expected its membership to
reach 1.3 million next year, claiming it had 167,000 members in the
Peninsula and more than 56,000 in Sabah and Sarawak.
Bersama was allowed by the Registrar of Societies to make major changes and amendments from its previous Setia body.
These changes include having a new symbol in the style of Mount Kinabalu with three round rings overlapping its face.
According to the Election Commission (SPR) official website, Bersama,
also known in English as Malaysia United People’s Party (MUPP), is now
among 32 parties whose symbols are registered with SPR, a requisite for
eligiblity to participate in an election.
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