SHAH ALAM: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) division leaders are warned not to be 'territorial' when it comes to the establishment of branches in their respective divisions.
This, according to party vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, was because more efforts must be established to strengthen the party's base, which included having more members.
"I listen to the debates of some division heads. Some of them are unhappy with the establishment of branches, which they deemed as a backdoor movement.
"(But) we have to remember that there are divisions with less than 10 branches.
"Oi, we want to replace Umno right? Do we want to be the ultimate party after Umno? But at the same time, we do not want to have more members. How is that possible?
"Furthermore, if we do not want to have more members and branches, how can we have more members of parliament and assemblyman," he said in his closing speech at the party's annual general meeting.
"Therefore, division heads, please don't be angry with the opening of more branches because it was the decision of the party's central committee.
"Be like Sabah, under one division we have many branches.
"In Bersatu, we are not trying to keep the division heads but to be an alternative party."
He also said that the party could not rely solely on "the wave, as it would subside someday."
"If that, we will only become a homestay and not a home to stay for those who want to leave Umno, PKR or other parties."