Mustapa: Priority is GE14, not party election

Kelantan Umno liaison chief Mustapa Mohamed today hit out at party members in the state who were more focussed on campaigning to win party posts instead of making preparations for the coming general election.

The Umno supreme council member said he was informed that some members were doing the campaign openly, despite an announcement by the party leadership that the party election had been postponed to a date to be fixed later.

"This is something of a disappointment for us (Kelantan Umno). Members should not be overzealous in campaigning for party posts because our focus is to win the 14th general election (GE14),” Mustapa said.

He told reporters this when met at a Hari Raya gathering for Kelantan-born travellers, members of non-governmental organisations and civil servants at the Kelantan Rural Transformation Centre at Bandar Baru Tunjong in Kota Baru today.

Also present were Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department senator Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Kelantan Federal Development Department director Yahaya Mamat.

Mustapa, who is international trade and industry minister, said there was a positive change in support, especially from the rural community, for Umno currently.

"The rural folks are more comfortable with BN, hence, we should not let go of this opportunity. All efforts and energy should be focused on strengthening the party to win the general election.

“Do not make the campaign for party posts the main agenda. What is important is to win in Kelantan,” he said.

- Bernama