BUT SUPPORT LOSS DUE TO NAJIB'S OWN RACIAL POLITICKING: After Selangor, Johor Umno told to take reality checks

JOHOR BARU - Umno members in Johor have been urged to conduct reality checks and reverse the declining support for the party in the state.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said there was a need to address the matter in an effort to restore the party's dominance in Johor, which is its birthplace.

"Over the last three general elections, the support for Umno and Barisan Nasional in Johor has declined from 81 per cent in 2004 to 63 per cent in 2008 to 54 per cent last year.

"Johor needs to be the bastion for Umno again as the party started here," said Najib, who is also Umno president, at the opening of the 2014 Johor Umno Convention at the Berjaya Waterfront Hotel in Stulang laut here this evening.

Aming those present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin who is also the state Umno liaison committee chairman and party vice-president Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein.

Najib reminded all Umno members, including division chiefs, not to put their personal interests above the needs of the party.

He also reminded party leaders not to block the activism of young professionals in the party.

"The party (Umno) must be open to new talents and existing leaders must be willing to sacrifice their positions if needed," said Najib to about 800 Johor Umno delegates.

He said Umno needs to reform itself for the party to be relevant in the present time.

Earlier, Khaled in his welcoming speech, pledged that Johor Umno will strive to begin support and aims for Barisan Nasional to win all electoral seats in the state for the next general elections.

In the 13th general elections last year, Barisan Nasional lost five out of 26 parliament seats and 18 out of 56 state seats.

The two-day Johor Umno convention is being held for the first time since 2009.

The convention is to give party members the opportunity to voice their opinions and ideas to strengthen the party.

It is also a forum for members to give their opinions to improve government policies.

Some 1,100 people, including party veterans and those from non-governmental organisations attended the convention. -NST