The 13th general election will be the most important yet for Umno - as such, division leaders and party members have been told not to rest on their laurels.

ahmad zahid hamidi Party vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said everyone has been asked to double and triple their efforts to prepare for the next polls.

"This general election will have significant challenges. Members should work on improving unity," he said at a press conference with fellow-veeps including Hishammuddin Hussein and Shafie Apdal.

This came after Umno president Najib Abdul Razak held a 90-minute closed-door briefing for delegates at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Shafie, meanwhile, said Najib has asked that the party members work together towards registering a comfortable victory.

“This is to ensure that the transformation programme that the party and government is currently undertaking will be allowed to continue,” said the VP from Sabah.

Ahmad Zahid emphasised that party members have been asked to remain united and not engage in sabotaging the elections.

“Focus on the agenda of the party registering a big win in the general election, and not on certain individuals,” said Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Defence Minister.

“Najib has asked to focus on the 13th general election and not on the party elections. It is vital that the focus is to give a mandate to the party to work together in winning this election,” he said.

The speech, according to Ahmad Zahid, was well-accepted by the delegates.

He added that Najib also wants all the internal bickering or problems to be resolved among the grassroots.

‘Only one team’

Hishammuddin said at a minimum, the party preparations in gearing up for the elections include having winnable candidates, and we hope that this would be well accepted by the party.

“It is vital that we translate this into votes through Umno’s voice to the people,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said there are no teams at the top echelon and there is only one team.

“There is only team Umno and he wants the divisions to remain united and have only one team.

“Quarrels as a result of the last party elections should be set aside, and the focus should be on the general election,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said a study had been done by the party on the winnable candidates but if there are none we will choose the ones with the best chance of registering a victory.

“We will gather feedback from all sectors in choosing the right candidate,” he said.

Hishammuddin said delegates and party members know the party has to maintain the right mood as the 2011 Umno assembly begins with the launching of the various wings’ congresses tonight.

Hishammuddin, who is also the Home Minister, was also asked about Pakatan Rakyat MPs’ move to walk out in not voting for the Peaceful Assembly Bill.

“If you talk about democracy and the system that we have, by walking out they are not respecting the democracy that they are supposed to be campaigning and fighting for,” he said.

Related stories

'Most in Umno hardliners, but this is slowly changing'

Umno members alone won't guarantee GE victory

Umno general assembly kicks off with president's message

Dear Najib, change begins with you

No Arab Spring, but a M'sian Monsoon perhaps

RM250mil is rakyat's money, not Umno's money