Next general election an extraordinary challenge, Najib tells Umno

(Bernama) – Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in his message to the party delegates for the 2011 Umno general assembly, has stressed that the party leadership at the divisions and grassroots must work in an extraordinary manner to face the 13th general election.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Tuesday the Prime Minister also advised delegates not to treat lightly the next general election because it posed an extraordinary and most bitter challenge to the party.

He said this at a media conference with two other Umno vice-presidents, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal. They earlier attended a closed-door session on the delivery of the president’s message, here, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.

Najib, in his message, also wanted priority to be given to party unity, other than the need to settle internal problems in the party at the divisional level even if the problem was small, said Ahmad Zahid.

“If there are still problems of sabotage, they must be pushed aside to focus on party agendas, not personal struggles. The 13th general election is not party election,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said if internal problems were overcome, there would be no sabotage or backstabbing at grassroot level.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin said Najib also reminded the Umno members to place the interests of the party over individual interests, which was an important matter to undestand in facing the next election.

The delegates must give the broadest ever mandate to the top leadership to ensure the party won and not certain individuals, he added.

Mohd Shafie said Najib wanted Umno and Barisan Nasional to win the next general election with a comfortable margin to enable the Government to continue implementing numerous transformation programmes which had been launched in the best possible manner in the interest and welfare of the people.