GE13 in 2013, Najib signals to Umno members

KUALA LUMPUR- The atmosphere at the Putra World Trade Centre was different than on the eve of Umno general assemblies over the past few years.

The looming 13th general election on the horizon, deemed to be the toughest ever going to be faced by the party is definitely the focus.

At the end of the strictly close-door pre-assembly briefing by party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak late in the afternoon, the delegates appeared to be even more excited.

Najib had appeared to have confirmed that the general election would be held next year.

He also seems to have stressed several salient points to the delegates:

- BN and Umno have been recognised by the world as making real progress at pusing for positive changes for the country.

- Umno members must work from now towards winning the next general election even if it is going to be held months from now.

- In order for Umno and its BN partners to be given a fresh mandate, there must be unity among party members

- Umno members need to heed the call for them to support electoral candidates chosen by the leadership who had went through the party's exhaustive screening process.

Party leaders and delegates who gave their reaction to Najib's briefing were fully supportive of him.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the delegates must heed the party president's advice and approach this year's assembly with the commitment to ensure the party's survival.

"The party's future will also decide the future of the rakyat, and our religion. This is the basis of the party's struggles for all these years," he said.

Former Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz expressed confidence that Najib had done the necessary to stabilise the party.

"Umno will most likely sweep the upcoming general election with a two-third majority.

"I believe the party members have learnt from their bitter experience of losing five states to the opposition in the 2008 election.

“In the previous election, our main reason for the loss was the party’s internal problem. This time the president has assured us that internal problems have been sorted out and we are now more united than ever.

Rafidah also insisted that the public has also started to understand that Umno wants to win the election not for the sake of retaining power but because it wants to execute policies and projects which will benefit the rakyat.

Puteri Umno deputy head Shahanim Mohamad Yusoff said the party president was very determined in urging party members to close ranks and work as a team in facing the next general election.

"His message should serve as a reminder to all Umno members that the party must be given priority above our self interests.

There is no two ways about it as all our focus must be on the preparations for the next general election."

Tanah Merah Umno division chief Datuk Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz concurred with Hashim on abiding to the party leadership's decision for electoral candidates.

"We must be focused and listen to what our president told us. Our personal interests are not important but Umno is," he said.

Dungun Umno deputy chief Datuk Zaaba Mohd Adib said the party president's advice for party members to close rank should be the most important element to be heeded as the party goes to the coming polls.

"Umno members should put aside their differences and start working together and be totally focused on the next general election. Do bear in mind what Datuk Seri Najib had said that politics also needs transformation."

Silam Wanita Umno chief Saleha Abdul Wahid said the party president's briefing should be closely heeded by the delegates.

“All of us are inspired to work harder and smarter for the upcoming general elections. We agree to what the party president said in his speech where he stressed on the importance of unity among party members,” she said.

Umno Pasir Puteh delegate Hashim Ismail said it is an obligation for party members to heed Najib's call for them to abide by the party leadership's' decision, and not sabotage candidates whom they are not in favour of.

- New Straits Times