Umno members reminded not to backstab each other

Party president tells members to avoid putting each other down and to instead put the party's interest ahead of personal interests.

PEKAN: Umno president Najib Tun Razak reminded party members not to resort to fractional politics or divisions as it could affect the party’s performance in the coming general election.

He also said members should avoid putting each other down and instead put the party’s interest ahead of personal interests.

“Fractional politics undermines the performance of a party for elections, when it’s time for elections we must do what is best for the party first,” he told reporters after launching the Pekan Umno delegates meeting, here today.

Najib said such negative practices not only occurred in Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, but also in opposition parties whereby it frequently happened during party elections.

“This happens within Umno and the opposition. When there is open election and differing views in a political party that practices democracy, there will be situations where various groups resort to such tactics at the grassroots level,” he said.

He said party members need to support selected party candidates by setting aside any negativity and not take the opportunity to sabotage other members.

“Members need to support candidates chosen by the party even if they don’t like them personally. We will be victorious in the coming elections if we stop criticising one another,” he said.

In his speech earlier, Najib said party introspection wa important to rectify mistakes from the last general election in preparing for the next one.

“We want to rise from the nightmare of 2008 (loss of several states to the opposition) to a new strength, so we need to look at ourselves and move as a team for success,” he added.