Hisham to delegates: Show everyone Umno has returned to strength

The Umno vice-president, warning delegates to watch what they say so that the media and others will not be able to paint the party as disunited or ‘racist’, reminds them to be mindful of GE14.

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein wants party delegates to present Umno as a party that has returned to strength and is ready for the 14th general election.

Speaking to Umno delegates who have been chosen to be the spokespersons for the party on the first day of the Umno General Assembly 2017, Hishammuddin said the current perception was that the party was facing many uncertainties.

“Lots of Umno leaders are at a crossroads now and some have even left the party as we meet in the last Umno General Assembly before the 14th general election.

“Our enemies have attacked us non-stop and especially attacked our president. So it’s essential that we show them Umno is back to its strongest.

“We must make it known that through the astute leadership of Najib Razak and the intelligence of the grassroots, Umno remains the best choice to serve the people and our race,” he said at PWTC here today.

Hishammuddin said the interest of the party must come before self interest or “emotional interests”.

He said the party president needed unanimous support in order to lead the party into the next GE.

“Umno is on the right track to getting a huge mandate at the next GE.

“We have to face enemies that are outside and inside the party and, therefore, we need to bring this into our speeches so that the people outside know Najib has our undivided support.

“We also have to paint the picture of a winning mentality to our members. This will instill confidence within them to face the GE.”

Hishammuddin warned delegates about the danger of “scoring an own goal” when making statements.

“Our enemies will find something to use against us so that we don’t succeed. Please do not shoot yourself in the foot or score an own goal.

“My worry is that we may say something to the applause of other delegates but it could later be exploited on social media and viralled, and that this could impact us during the next GE.”

“Do not let them say we are racists. Do not let the media create this perception that what we say is racist or is not inclusive for the different races out there.

“If you want to attack, attack the opposition, not each other, and do not give them a chance to pit us against our component parties.” -FMT