Rashid Defends Remarks At Bersatu Agm Says He Was Being Realistic

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Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman has defended his controversial remarks at the Bersatu general assembly last month, when he said it would be “stupid” not to use government resources to help the party stay in power
The Bersatu vice-president said his remarks were timely, and reflected what is being felt by division chiefs nationwide
"What I said was not scripted, but spontaneous. I thought it up because many division and branch chiefs came to me sharing their problems
"As a vice-president, I felt a need to speak up on this... For me, we have to be realistic. If we have no money, (then) we have no (support)," Rashid was quoted as saying by Bernama
"In serving the community, we can't save up. Do we want the turmoil faced by the previous government? "We want the people's continued support, not just for one term," he added
Rashid also stated that he regrets the attacks made on him, and dismissed calls for his resignation, saying there is no reason for him to do so
His remarks came shortly after Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman spoke outagainst demands for government contracts and positions at the AGM on Dec 30, warning that these could be graft offences
Bersatu chairperson and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad later said that Rashid’s opinions are his own, and did not represent the view of the party. Electoral reform group Bersih also expressed its shock over the statement by Rashid, who heads the government’s electoral reform committee. - Mkini

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