Hisham: Winnable candidate has good track record, work ethics, people’s support

(The Star) – KUALA LUMPUR: A winnable candidate is not defined by his age, position or even religion, said Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

Instead, said the Umno vice president, it was determined by his track record, work ethics and the people’s support.

“As long as you win the hearts of the people, even the party president will not stop you from contesting in the election,” he said on the side-lines of the Umno general assembly Friday.

He urged Umno leaders to go down to the ground and do their job in serving the people if they want to be chosen as election candidates.

Hishammuddin said a good candidate was a Barisan Nasional candidate who had a better chance of winning.

“Barisan Nasional is a party which is able to translate unity in our diversity and this has become our strength,” Hishammuddin said.

On having two-thirds majority in the Parliament, he said many Western democracies did not have such results and some even had a hung Parliament, like in Britain.

“It is only us who are used to the idea of having a two-third majority. However, the message from the last elections is clear. We have to work harder and close ranks,” he said.

Datuk Seri Najib Tiun Razak, in his policy speech at the opening of the 2011 Umno General Assembly on Thursday, emphasised that as Umno people, the elements that members must uphold were loyalty, love for the party and a willingness to serve and sacrifice for the party.