Reminder to delegates

Focus on GE14, regain two-thirds majority and drop the rhetoric.

MELAKA: Forget the rhetoric and focus on progressive debates in the interest of all Malaysians.

This is the succinct message from Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Idris Haron to delegates chosen to debate resolutions at the party’s general assembly starting today.

Idris said delegates should remember that Umno, as the prominent party in the Barisan Nasional structure, has to take care of the interests and welfare of all Malaysians, although the core of the party’s objective is to champion the Malay cause.

“Remember, the assembly will be closely watched not only by our component parties but by the Opposition as well as the whole world.

“There shouldn’t be even a friendly firing or bashing of our leaders, other coalition parties or races. In a nutshell, don’t wash dirty linen in public,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Idris, who is also Melaka Chief Minister, said delegates must share a common denominator like keeping away from condemning Umno leaders in speeches.

“That will be like throwing stones in a glasshouse,” he said, adding that Umno leaders should also not be too obsessed about becoming candidates in the next general election, saying the matter should be left to the party leadership to decide.

“The party general assembly will be the launching pad for GE14. We need to be walking tall with the winning mentality – go out there and expose the truth and tell the rakyat the actual ugly face of the Opposition.

“There should be no compromise when it comes to combating lies, slander, fake news,” he added.

Idris said Umno was a very wellorganised, structured and systematic party and with strategic planning, could easily win the hearts of all Malaysians.

“Umno is present in every nook and corner of Malaysia and thus party machinery must be equipped with proper skills and knowledge so that they can go out there, meet the voters and tell them the truth,” he said.

Idris also reminded party leaders to use their skills and work objectively by placing heart, soul and mind to garner more support for Umno and Barisan.

This, he said, could be achieved by being approachable and willing to listen to all without being overconfident or shunning the needs of others.

“The elections are over and above everything else,” he said.