Umno trains grassroots leaders to face GE15
MELAKA: Umno is strengthening its election machinery to face the 15th General Election (GE15) through the Bangkit 15 programme.
The programme aims to prepare the party for victory in GE15 as “Dday” looms.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said by having the Umno divisional leadership as the earliest group to be trained and equipped with knowledge for election preparations, Bangkit 15 would also be a strong shield for the party during this uncertain political situation.
He said Bangkit 15, organised by the party Training and Cadre Bureau, had taken early and immediate steps to guide the party leadership at the divisional level to ensure victory in GE15.
Ismail Sabri, who is also Umno Training and Cadre Bureau chairman, said the divisional leadership would go to each branch to train the grassroots leadership, to ensure that the “train the trainers” system planned by the party ran successfully.
“The Bangkit 15 programme involves leadership from heads, deputies, vice heads of divisions, wings, as well as committee members.
“All of them will go to the branches, to train leaders at the branch level, along with the party’s machinery at the polling district centre, to ensure they are equipped with knowledge before the battle in GE15,” he said, after the launch of Bangkit 15 for Melaka and Negri Sembilan at La Crista Hotel, here, on Friday.
A total of 252 Umno members from both states took part in the three-day programme.
Present were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Sulaiman Md Ali, Melaka Umno liaison chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and Negri Sembilan liaison deputy chairman Datuk Ismail Lazim.
Ismail Sabri said Bangkit 15, launched last month, was an important programme to transform traditional campaign methods to more contemporary strategies, particularly with the use of information technology in line with Industrial Revolution 4.0.
“Via the programme, various tactics and strategies will be implemented to ensure that the Umno machinery is ready, should GE15 be held at any time.”
Ismail Sabri said the Umno machinery would know what needed to be done based on their specialisation.
Bangkit 15 started on March 15 in Kedah and Perlis, followed by Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor.
The programme will resume after Hari Raya in Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang and Sabah.
Ismail Sabri, who is also Bera member of parliament, said Bangkit 15 did not focus on theoretical knowledge, but emphasised practical exercises to describe the real election atmosphere.
“Information technology (IT) efficiency is paramount as various forms of reports can be easily spread through social media.
“Therefore, IT skills and thinking are necessary for every member, to win the election. I hope Bangkit 15 will have a big impact on party members to face the ‘war’ in GE15.”
Ismail Sabri said Umno was democratic, and members had the right to express themselves.
“This is not something new to members. They are allowed to speak and share their views that we (top leadership) need to hear. Their views could be right or wrong, but we listen to every view expressed by our members.”