SHAH ALAM: Bersatu's idealism has made it a target because it is seen as a political threat to the ruling parties, says party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
"This idealism... is to ensure a democratic and just country. We are being tested (but) we are strong and sincere in fighting for the people's interests.
"To our opponents, do not think that (we) will take the bait," he said in a veiled reference to the corruption charges brought against him, which he has claimed to be political persecution, and recent changes of loyalty within party ranks.
The Bersatu MPs for Jeli, Gua Musang, Kuala Kangsar and Labuan had shifted their allegiance to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In his policy speech at Bersatu's sixth annual general meeting here on Friday (Nov 24), Muhyiddin said although the party is Malay-based, its struggle is to create a stable country for all races.
"The government has failed to address the issue of cost of living. The cost of everything has gone up, only the rain has come down. A sustainable economy must also have humanity.
"Social justice is important to a nation's stability (as well as) a decent standard of living for all, for justice can only be achieved if there is economic development.
"The (unity government's) Madani Economy framework does not have a proper target or fair division of prosperity.
"The Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional government has failed to prove it has proper plans for economic development, which is still slow despite all sectors of the economy having opened up after the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Instead, (economic growth) is predicted to regress to 3.9% as compared to the projection of 4.3% in April last year.
"Foreign direct investments have also gone down as much as 60% from RM55.4bil in the first nine months of 2020 to RM22.3bil in the first nine months of this year," he added.
He also reminded the seven-year-old party that it should not be complacent despite making big strides in the general and state elections.
"We have 31 MPs and 60 state assemblymen now. Perikatan Nasional components PAS and Gerakan have been true allies in our journey as a political party that matters," he said.
Muhyiddin also claimed that Malays had lost political power in their own land, but still have the right to decide their fate as it was this power that brought them out of poverty and illiteracy after independence.
He also sniped at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for suggesting that Palestinians be given refuge elsewhere.
"Is he supporting the Israeli agenda to get rid of Palestinians from their land? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be brought to the International Court of Justice for his aggression towards the Palestinians," said Muhyiddin.
The Bersatu AGM will end on Saturday (Nov 25).
