Umno on a high before today’s general assembly

 

PUTRAJAYA: Fresh from two successful state elections, Umno delegates will gather for their party’s general assembly today with renewed confidence and will very likely push for the general election to be held soon.

The mood will certainly be different from the past two years when things were much more toned down with a lack of “rah-rah”, especially after GE14 when Umno-led Barisan Nasional was dealt a crushing blow and ousted as the federal government.

Covid-19 restrictions – limiting the number of attendees and cancelling all merriment usually associated with the annual gathering – only dampened spirits further.

This time, though, the general assembly will see the crowd back – and it is being held on the heels of two successful state elections.

Barisan had not just won in Melaka and Johor – it had, as the Malays would say, “menang bergaya” (won handsomely) and secured the two-thirds supermajority in both states.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan agreed that the mood would be buoyant.

“The success in the state elections will certainly be a morale booster, giving members a new sense of hope and confidence to face the next battle which is GE15,” he said.

Umno leaders agreed that GE15 could be a topic that would be hotly debated, with some delegates wanting it held as soon as possible.

Supreme council member Datuk Razlan Rafii said this was normal at general assemblies when the government’s term was close to an end.

“We have seen this before. For example, before GE14, the delegates were debating whether it should be held before or after Malaysia hosted the SEA Games (in August 2018),” he said.

GE14 was held in May 2018 while GE15 must be held before July 2023.

Razlan, however, pointed out that while the party was open for the matter to be discussed, it must be done with decorum.

“There should not be any form of provocation,” he said.

He was obviously referring to shouts of “bubar Parliment” (dissolve Parliament) by Umno and Barisan supporters when Prime Minister and party vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob walked through the jubilant crowd at the Johor Umno headquarters on election night.

Supreme council member Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said that after winning seven out of 12 by-elections and the support received in the Sabah, Melaka and Johor polls, many asked why the general election should not be called now.

“People have pointed out that we have the support, we have created stability, we have managed Covid-19, the economic recovery is on track. So what are we waiting for?

“To me, what needs to be discussed is timing. We need to look at how prepared we are to face the polls and the successes in the government’s delivery.

“Our election machinery must be ready and what we intend to deliver must reach the people,” he said.

Reezal called on party members to give the mandate and trust to the party leadership and the Prime Minister to determine the best time for Umno to fight in GE15.

Larut information chief Mohd Amran Abdul Rahman said the youth wing, of which he is a member, would propose that the Umno leadership and government call for the polls at the earliest.

“We have seen how support has returned to Umno. We are at our peak right now since 2018 and we should grab the opportunity. As the saying goes, strike while the iron is hot,” he said.

Amran said Umno and Barisan’s triumphant outings in Melaka and Johor would reignite the spirit and enthusiasm of delegates.

“I am very sure that this assembly will be as exciting and as highly charged as those before 2018,” he said. - Star