BN told to be focussed on GE

Party deputy chief Muhyiddin also wants members in Penang to work doubly hard to win the state.

GEORGE TOWN: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today instructed members of Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to focus on ensuring the coalition’s victory in the next general election instead of being preoccupied with their party elections.

Saying that the next general election, the country’s 13th, was most crucial for the BN, he advised the members to forget about their party elections for the time being.

“Focus on the (next) general election and streamline party machineries. Do not be preoccupied with lobbying for party posts as the 13th general election is most crucial for the BN,” he said when opening the Bayan Baru Umno divisional delegates meeting, here.

Muhyiddin, who is BN deputy chairman and Umno deputy president, said it was necessary for the BN to use an extraordinary approach to go down to the ground and resolve the people’s problems.

Referring to Penang BN, he said it must work as a team to regain the people’s support so as to recapture the state in the next general election, instead of merely finding fault with the state government.

Muhyiddin also said that BN leaders must be honest and acknowledge weaknesses in their parties and, as such, they should work out plans to regain the people’s support.

“We have to rise from defeat and strengthen our organisations, not only Umno but also other components like MCA, Gerakan, MIC, PPP and the rest,” he said.

He said there were indications of more Malays switching their support to the BN, the Indians to the MIC and some of the Chinese to the MCA and Gerakan.

Muhyiddin said Penang BN leaders should not forget their role to help the people despite a change in the political landscape rendering them as the opposition in the state.

- Bernama