ISLAMABAD -- The Umno general assembly 2012 is expected to focus on matters pertaining to the looming general election.
Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said it aimed to enhance the focus and attention of all members on the importance of the coming general election.
"At the same time, we also want to take the opportunity to look at the condition of the mind of party leaders at all levels on the major challenge that we will be facing in the election," he told Malaysian media, here Friday.
Muhyiddin, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, is here to attend the D8 Summit and related summit meetings.
He said that through the challenges, the antics of the opposition and matters arising could be tackled by party members to defend the position of Umno as the power behind the government.
"If possible, we strengthen our position after the general election. It's important for us to secure a bigger victory and to win back all the states that we lost in the 2008 general election.
"So, this general assembly is of utmost significance. Although we know that within Umno itself there are certain issues, the main focus will be how we should prepare every Umno member, including at the grassroots level, to face the election," he said.
With the general election approaching closer, Muhyiddin said it was important for Umno members to instil awareness on the major challenge and trust they had to shoulder to ensure that they had the mandate upon leaving the Dewan Merdeka.
"Umno members should also stress on the aspect of party solidarity that must be strengthened. I had reminded the members (about solidarity) at every level during my visits to the states during meetings with the leaders of Umno and the Barisan Nasional component parties.
"The first thing that I said was to avoid internal problems and issues. We realise that in some places, such problems existed. I have reminded them to find ways to resolve the problems," he said.
Muhyiddin hoped that such problems would not pose an obstacle that could result in Umno failing to win support in the general election.
"However, at the meetings I had with several selected divisions that needed more attention, they seemed to promise that they will focus on ensuring victory for the party," he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that the party had started to approach the voters at all levels to win their support almost two years ago.
"We have mentioned that it was most important that they (Umno leaders) get closer to the voters and I have said that the voters are 'king' and that they decide whether we remain as the government or otherwise," he said.
However, he said that Umno itself had addressed the weaknesses found in every state, especially in those states that the party had lost in the last election.
He said that there was renewed confidence among the voters that Umno was a more capable party compared to PAS and PKR, through the developments taking place in the states controlled by the opposition.
"From my experience in politics, every time there is a general election, the Umno machinery would be busy on the ground, but this time around, they had started much earlier because the election date had not been announced yet.
"In terms of the mindset, they are also ready for it. So, the change is seen in terms of the operation and the assistance that we give out. As such, not only the Malay voters, but even the Chinese and Indian voters have seen and are ready to give their support (to us) in the coming general election," he said.
Muhyiddin wanted Umno laders to be more prepared in terms of mind and energy.
"I am confident that Barisan Nasional will win in the coming general election and the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, will be retained, Insya-Allah. What we will be facing is a strong challenge.
"We must be more aggressive than the opposition because this is a war in terms of the various strategies.
"There is no time for rest, we must be up and ready at all time," he added.
-- BERNAMA
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