Bersatu’s Rahang candidate Tang Jay Son says the party could become more inclusive with stronger non-Malay backing.
PETALING JAYA: Bersatu could evolve into a more inclusive political party if it secures stronger backing from non-Malay communities, said its Rahang candidate Tang Jay Son.
He said the party’s future direction would ultimately depend on the level of support it receives.
Drawing parallels with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad carrying the PKR flag before becoming prime minister in 2018, Tang said political transformation is always possible.
Tang said Bersatu’s organisational structure already reflects Malaysia’s multiracial demographic although it maintains separate membership categories for Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera members.
He said the party’s Associate Members’ Wing has its own leadership structure, with its chief automatically serving as a vicepresident in the party’s central committee.
“To design a party structure according to the political and racial demography of the country shows that this party represents all Malaysians,“ he told theSun.
He expressed belief that Bersatu is currently the best party to represent all races.
Tang also revealed that opening the party’s main membership to all races had been part of Bersatu’s original plan after Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin assumed the party presidency but the proposal met strong resistance from “a certain faction” that has since left the party.
“We would have contested in more Chinese-majority seats if we had more Chinese candidates.
“But the opportunity is now here for us to walk the talk and realise that vision,“ he said, adding that voters are mature enough to judge whether Bersatu offers a better alternative to mono-ethnic parties such as Umno and PAS.
Tang said the party leadership recognised the importance of nonMalay representation and fielded six non-Malay candidates – one Chinese and five Indians – among its 24 candidates for the Negeri Sembilan election.
“We in Bersatu are serious about ensuring that Chinese education, traditions and religious needs are safeguarded and developed fairly, giving Malaysian Chinese a fair share of the state’s prosperity.”
As Bersatu’s only Chinese candidate in the state election, Tang said he is optimistic about his prospects in the four-cornered contest for Rahang.
“MCA’s present pact with PAS does not fare well with non-Malay voters, especially the Chinese. A vote for MCA is a vote for PAS which has demonstrated on many occasions through its statements on many issues that it does not understand Chinese sensitivities.”
Tang also expressed confidence of securing support from Malay voters, adding that Bersatu remains a Malay-majority party.
He will face incumbent DAP assemblyman Siau Meow Kong, who won the seat with a 9,868-vote majority in the August 2023 state election, Yap Siok Moy (BN) and Tinagaran Subramaniam (PSM).
According to the Election Commission’s latest electoral roll, Rahang has 19,663 registered voters, comprising 8,591 Chinese (43.69%), 5,951 Malays (30.26%), 4,432 Indians (22.54%) and 689 voters from other communities (3.51%).
If elected, Tang said his legal background would enable him to better serve constituents.
Tang said Rahang’s immediate concerns are flash floods and traffic congestion at several junctions linking Rahang and Seremban 2.
“These two problems shall be prioritised and addressed.”
