BALING, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
today reminded party members that the upcoming 13th general election
would determine Umno and Barisan Nasional's (BN) survival.
He also reminded them to learn from the experience of losing (five
states) in the 2008 general election and not to repeat those actions
which caused the loss.
"I don't want to see anymore politics of playing one against another
and no more factions in the party...don't want anymore sulking and
back-stabbing in the election campaign.
"If all the party members support the candidates chosen, it will be
impossible for us to lose in the elections," he said when simultaneously
opening the delegates meetings of six Umno divisions in south Kedah at
the Rakan Muda Complex, here.
Also present were the prime minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor,
Kedah Umno liaison chief Datuk Paduka Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, his
deputy Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, Baling Umno division head Datuk Abdul
Azeez and its Wanita chief Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim.
The other five division chiefs present were Datuk Tajuddin Abdullah
(Sik), Datuk Tajul Urus Mohd Zain (Merbok), Ali Yahya (Sungai Petani)
and Datuk Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir (Kulim/Bandar Baru), and acting chief
Abdul Halim Saad (Padang Serai).
The prime minister said as an experienced and mature party, Umno should be able to resolve all its problems.
"It's already four years (since the last general election)...there
should be no more problems, no more finger pointing...enough is enough.
Time to close ranks. Too much already been said, until foaming at the
mouth.
"If we love the party, we have to accept (the decisions) with
resignation. If chosen (as candidates), we say alhamdulillah (Praise to
God). If not chosen, we also say alhamdulillah. If that is the attitude,
it means we are mature," said Najib who is also Umno president.
"When I say the party wants winnable candidates, all (aspirants) will
claim they are winnable candidates but actually, only half of them can
win."
Najib said although there were ups and downs in politics, Umno was still a relevant party and would live long.
"Learn from your success but the most effective lesson is failure. It
is easy to make promises but difficult to fulfil," said Najib, adding
that members must love the party unconditionally.
"I have been long (in the party). When I 'salam', I can read the
person's feelings and in a tight grasp, I can read even more. All our
election candidates must pass the test," he said
Najib said there were signs of public support returning to Umno as the
government's various policies and programmes that were inclusive to
assist the people, such as the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M), were
much appreciated by the people.
"We understand the needs and demands of the people, unlike the
opposition which has chosen to raise the hudud issue close to the
general election.
"We have built thousands of mosques, but PAS has built only two while ruling Kelantan for 22 years."
He said Umno would continue to stuggle for Islam and work at enhancing its civilisation.
"InsyaAllah (God willing), we place the right people, qualified and
trustworthy. There is no wedge between the ulama and national leaders so
that Islam will continue to flourish," he added.
On the general election in Kedah, Najib said south Kedah was the pillar
for BN to wrest back the state from the opposition, but other divisions
were equally important.
At the end of his speech, Najib said in jest that he had the urge to dissolve Parliament but added, "let me see first."
The prime minister and his wife than made time to attend a Hari Raya
gathering with Baling folk before leaving for Alor Setar for another
Hari Raya do with the people at the grounds of Darul Aman Stadium.
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