[UPDATED] Bersatu co-founder Rais Hussin quits party

KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu co-founder Datuk Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff has quit the party, citing that he has been an inactive member since 2020 after a heart procedure.

Rais, who co-founded Bersatu in 2015, also said he has been focused on developing and nurturing think-tank Emir Research.

His resignation letter was submitted yesterday.

“Throughout my active role in the party, I never shied away from speaking the brutal truth to the powers that be, more often or not at my personal costs.

“Yes, I have been vocal, frank and brutal since 2015, sometimes way ahead of time; not shying away from giving contrarian views but for the sake of the party and the sublime struggle then. 

“I have been aggressive, sometimes plain aggressive, and sometimes persuasively aggressive – but it was and is done in the purest intention, for the greater interest of the party.

Rais also recorded his appreciation to then party chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin – whom Rais said in many ways understood him “better than anyone else in the party”.

“It has been a very educational and experiential journey from 2015, and I have learned much from this political voyage, good and bad, that will surely help guide and shape me, moving forward. 

“(I) Must register my heartfelt appreciation to all party members whom I have worked with for many years, especially early years when we got together against all odds to rescue Malaysia from the kleptocrats,” he said in a statement.

Rais was appointed to the Bersatu Supreme Council in 2016 but did not participate in party polls held in 2020.

He was also Malaysia Digital Economy Corp chairman. – The Vibes, October 7, 2022