Najib better than Anwar, Hadi or Kit Siang, says Sabah Umno

Sabah Umno deputy liaison chief Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak says Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who mooted the 1Malaysia concept and is the architect of the National Key Results Areas (NKRA), is a "winnable prime minister".

As such, he is confident that the people will rally behind him to continue as prime minister compared to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and DAP leader Lim Kit Siang.

In this respect, Salleh said Najib needed a strong mandate to continue transforming the economy, thus taking the country to greater heights.

"I believe Malaysia will be in safe hands under him. That's why we should give the prime minister a big general election mandate to face the economic challenges," he said when opening the Kota Belud Umno division delegates' meeting, here Saturday.

"The opposition parties may not be able to match BN because they have different ideologies and struggles. DAP has its own ideology, PKR promotes its ideals to save a certain leader, while PAS plays up religious sentiments. It's impossible for them to be together for a long time.

"Look what happened to Penang, Kedah, Kelantan and Selangor. A minority government comprising DAP, PKR and PAS just cannot function effectively."

Salleh said DAP was the dominant force in Pakatan and its two other partners - PAS and PKR - were playing second fiddle to it.

"It's no wonder more of their leaders and members have left and joined BN," he added.

Salleh also reminded Umno members not to be complacent about its vote base or intoxicated by its achievement, instead they should focus on championing the cause of the people.

"National issues can change the tide of support and that's why we cannot be complacent. The political landscape has changed considerably and the mentality of the voters will swing according to situations," he said.

Salleh also chided certain party leaders and members who behaved arrogantly, causing the people to lose interest and defect to other parties.

"A grassroot leader must be a well-liked character, someone who has the ability to serve the people effectively, and only then our party becomes winnable," he said.

-- BERNAMA