PN victory an 'integrity wave' not a 'Malay wave', says Bersatu leader

Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan has refuted descriptions of Perikatan Nasional's (PN) victory in Padang Serai as well as the Nov 19 general election as a "Malay wave" or a "green Islamic uprising", saying it should instead be described as a "wave of integrity". 

Speaking in an interview with Astro Awani last night, he said the voters had clearly rejected fraud and corruption, with those from the Undi 18 age bracket in particular withholding their support from coalitions which merely claimed to be Malay-Muslim parties. 

"I think they voted based on integrity. This is a wave of integrity where people said enough with the corruption, enough with the lies, enough with the storytelling that we have been seeing for years," he said. 

When asked what voters might say about claims linking PN with the embezzlement of RM600 billion under the administration of Muhyiddin Yassin, Wan Saiful said that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim would have to prove the allegation. 

He added that Anwar himself had been fluctuating over the actual amount involved. 

Anwar had initially placed the sum at RM600 billion but several days later said the amount was "only a few billion". 

Wan Saiful also urged the prime minister to explain how he had reciprocated to the contributions given by corporate figures and tycoons throughout his campaign, following his remarks that he would refuse a salary for the position.

"Who is paying for his house in Sungai Long? He should explain where he is getting the money to pay for his own campaign," he said.  

On a separate issue, Wan Saiful also rubbished descriptions of Bersatu and PAS as conservative parties. 

He said the coalition was in fact centre right, taking into account the views of both right and left wing parties in the coalition. 

He also said there was nothing negative about conservatism in modern political theory, adding that it was about "defending the values that we have".

"It's about an open economy," he added. "It's about being a trading nation. Conservatism is not something negative. If you look at countries like the UK, it's always a contest between the left and the conservatives. 

"If you look at the US as well, it's always been a contest between the left in the form of the Democrats, and the Republicans who are conservative."

Voicing hope that Malaysia could move ahead by talking about ideologies, he added: "Labelling PN as a conservative bloc is okay. That means we sit on the centre right." 

He said PN did not want to be part of the new government due to differences in ideology. 

He also said PN could not accept cooperation with leaders from the Umno court clusters. 

"We have held to these principles from the start, and we are consistent with them," he said.