Cost of living, economy, inflation, education on Bersatu's AGM agenda - Muhyiddin

SHAH ALAM - The upcoming Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's (Bersatu) Annual General Meeting (AGM) is set to take centre stage despite the postponement of elections at the Supreme Leadership Council (MPT) and party divisions.

The three-day event is scheduled to begin this Thursday.

According to Bersatu President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the key discussions at the AGM will focus on addressing the concerns of the people, with a particular emphasis on the pressing issues of the rising cost of living and an assessment of the Unity Government's performance.

In his address, Muhyiddin will highlight the need for Bersatu to strengthen its position, foster greater unity, deepen the understanding of the party's ideals, and conduct a thorough evaluation of the past year's achievements and shortcomings.

"First and foremost, as per the party constitution, the AGM is held annually to provide our members nationwide with opportunities to voice their concerns and discuss matters of importance.

"The main speech that I will deliver will cover all of the major points that we should consider. One of these is how we should fortify Bersatu, foster more togetherness, impart a better understanding of the significance of the party's struggle, and assess our accomplishments over the previous year," Muhyiddin said in a recent exclusive interview with Sinar.

While acknowledging the party's achievements, Muhyiddin also stressed the importance of conducting a postmortem analysis of the results from past general elections (GE), state elections, and by-elections to ensure solid unity in facing upcoming elections.

"We must celebrate our achievements while also critically evaluating our strategies to ensure that we are well-prepared for the challenges ahead," Muhyiddin added.

He highlighted the substantial progress made since Bersatu's formation six years ago and the subsequent establishment of Perikatan Nasional (PN) three years ago.

"The collaboration between Bersatu, Pas, and Parti Gerakan Malaysia (Gerakan) has emerged as a formidable force, often considered the second power, with significant support from the Malay community.

"This position of being the second power, with the largest support from the Malay community, is a positive sign for the future of our party," he added.

Muhyiddin stressed the importance of evaluating the government's actions, with a keen focus on addressing the issues raised by the people and their representatives.

"Our primary areas of concern include inflation, the economy, the cost of living, and important areas like education. We will not shy away from discussing any issue that affects the nation.

"Our members will examine, discuss, and debate the issues facing this nation.

"We hope that this AGM will give them a clear idea of what needs to be done," he added.

Muhyiddin expressed his hope that the AGM will provide a clear roadmap for action and ultimately solidify Bersatu's position as a mass political movement that commands influence, respect, and recognition.