Set aside differences to ensure victory, Zahid tells BN parties
IPOH: Barisan Nasional leaders must strengthen the relationship between component parties to ensure victory in the next general election, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said BN leaders, including those from the youth wings, must also set aside differences and work together to “retain and regain” lost seats in the 14th General Election.
“Get to know your friends now so that when Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) beats the war drum, we are well prepared. Don’t wait until Parliament is dissolved to know your friends.
“We must focus on our supporters and give priority to BN’s DNA (party components).
“Rally those in the parliamentary and state constituencies,” said Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional deputy chairman, at the “BN Aman & Expo” launch here yesterday.
“We may have different views, with different religious and cultural backgrounds, but we must put them aside and work together to win for BN.”
He said Perak BN must learn from its defeat in 2008, and work together to ensure that the party regain lost seats.
“It was a painful 11 months for us when we lost Perak (to the opposition). We must make sure that history does not repeat itself,” he said to a loud cheer from the crowd.
Present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Perak Umno Youth chief Khairul Azwan Harun.
In Zahid urged religious (tahfiz) schools that have yet to register with state religious authorities to do so immediately.
“We need to protect the welfare of our children who go to these schools,” he said at the opening of the “30,000 Huffaz Assembly” programme at the Federal Territory Mosque here yesterday.
As of April this year, Zahid said, there were 519 registered tahfiz schools nationwide.
The event also saw several private companies donating a total of RM520,000 to support the programme.
On a related matter, Zahid said the government was committed to producing 125,000 professional “huffaz” in 30 years.
“Huffaz”, which means “guardian” or “memoriser” in Arabic, refers to someone who has completely mastered the Quran.
“Hopefully, they will one day lead the country by becoming economists and politicians. Some among them may even become the prime minister.
“With a ‘huffaz’ as prime minister, he will undoubtedly bring Malaysia and Islam to greater heights. I may not be around by then to see that happen but this dream is not for me. It is for the next generation,” he said.
Zahid also called for unity among tahfiz students, saying Islam was under threat worldwide.
Present was former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.