SEREMBAN: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia leaders must not repeat the mistakes made by those in Umno or they too will be rejected by the people, says Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim.

The newly appointed Negri Sembilan Pribumi pro-tem committee chairman said division leaders, for example, should not behave like warlords or they would be no different than when they were in Umno.

“The Negri Sembilan Pribumi was so weak that the leadership had no choice but to dissolve it. Some were behaving as if they were still in Umno.

“Now, we have to start all over again because we need to restore the faith of the people in the party,” he told reporters after meeting Bersatu members here.

Dr Rais was appointed state pro-tem committee chairman after the party decided to dissolve its state chapter upon the advice of the Registrar of Societies.

Kuala Pilah MP Eddin Syazlee Shith, who is also Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister, is Dr Rais’ deputy.

Dr Rais noted that the previous committee did not even have an office, proper data of its members and was divisive.

“There was more infighting than anything else,” he said.

Dr Rais said he would create a new system where there was less protocol so that members could raise issues with party leaders.

“I will also get feedback from all eight divisions in the state as well as strengthen our Armada and Srikandi wings,” he said.

Armada is the party’s youth wing while Srikandi is the women’s wing.

On the Oct 13 Port Dickson by-election, Dr Rais said he was surprised that Umno opted out of the contest.

“Whatever it is, we will work hard to ensure Pakatan Harapan’s candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emerges victorious,” he said, adding this was important as Anwar was prime minister-in-waiting.

He said PAS’ decision to contest the by-election would not make a difference to Pakatan.