Umno Information chief Annuar Musa is confident that Umno has the ability to address and resolve any issues plaguing the party based on its own experience.

He said all issues in the party were considered to be normal in politics.

Annuar said Umno, as the backbone of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government would continue to face a range of challenges and issues that had been manipulated by certain parties, including the opposition.

"This is the reality of politics...we have to give proper explanations to the people.

"I do not deny that we (Umno) do have problems...but we have the capability to handle those problems based on our own proven track records in overcoming numerous political crises," he told reporters after a meeting with information chiefs of Umno divisions and wings at the Kedah Umno liaison committee office in Alor Setar today.

For example, Annuar said the opposition had recently given the impression to the people that the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) would stop giving scholarships to students, which had created negative perceptions on the government agency.

Annuar, who is also Mara chairperson, on the contrary said each year, the agency had spent RM2 billion to fund 75,000 students, locally and abroad.

Meantime, Annuar said as the new Umno information chief, he would try to correct the negative perception against the party and explain any issues that had been distorted by the opposition.

"We want all Umno divisions to carry out briefing sessions and provide information efficiently and comprehensively right to the grassroots level," he said.

He said he would also organise a tour to meet party members in every state and listen to their problems before drafting the work plan for the next general election.

Earlier, Annuar also had a meeting with Kedah Menteri Besar Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, who is also Kedah Umno liaison committee chairperson.

- Bernama