PUTRAJAYA: DAP’s big victory in the Sandakan by-election was due to cooperation within Pakatan Harapan.
Prime Minister and Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said this included the newly-established Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Parti Warisan Sabah.
He said voter turnout for the election was lower than what was targeted, but the people realised that Pakatan and Bersatu were good and had leaders and members who made sacrifices without expecting anything in return.
“This is why we achieved a big win in Sandakan, even though many people did not come out to vote.
“The people know that people do not join this party to get a reward in return.
“They look highly upon the leaders in the party who are willing to sacrifice for race, religion and country,” he told some 1,000 Bersatu members at the party’s buka puasa event at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
DAP’s Vivian Wong swept to victory with a 11,521-majority win at the polls on Saturday. Her father had held the seat until his death in March.
Dr Mahathir said Bersatu was party whose members resisted doing things that could damage Malaysia’s image.
“This is the sacrifice (we make) to free the country from being known as a kleptocratic country.
“This will be the reward we receive for fighting for the country.
“Despite being in a poor party, we still won the 14th General Election,” he added.
Earlier, Dr Mahathir welcomed 25 newly appointed leaders of Bersatu divisions in Sabah.
He also congratulated Dr Maszlee Malik over his appointment to the party’s supreme council.