It's tough being out of power, says Nong Chik

The BN can only serve the people if it remains in power, said Umno Lembah Pantai chief Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.

He said it is clear that in areas where they have lost, BN members are handicapped in terms of facilities which he claims are monopolised by Pakatan Rakyat.

"I have been to branches where we have lost. They tell me how tough it is for them under the Pakatan," he said at his division delegates' meeting at PWTC today," said Nong Chik ( left ).

"They had to work hard, campaigning under tents in compounds at their own homes.

"This is what happens when you are no longer in power," he said.

In the last general election, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil lost t he Lembah Pantai parliamentary seat to PKR's Nurul Izzah with a majority of 2,895 votes in what the Umno Wanita chief had called a "shock defeat".

Raja Nong Chik lamented that Umno Lembah Pantai members have not "rasa nikmat kuasa (enjoyed the taste of power)" for a long time.

"If we don't have power, we cannot do anything. If anyone asks us for help, we cannot do anything.

"When we have power, only then we can do what we want," he said.

Raja Nong Chik, however, pointed out that the entire Umno and BN machinery in Lembah Pantai must work hard to earn the right to wield the power they so desire.

"In Lembah Pantai, we have over 17,000 members but only 8,000 are registered voters. I am embarrassed by this, and I don't know how many more MIC and MCA can give.

"If this is the case, we are just ' syok sendiri ' (self-gratifying)... We say we are ready to go to war but where are the soldiers? If just the captains go, we will surely die," he said.

Raja Nong Chik, however, pointed out that the entire Umno and BN machinery in Lembah Pantai must work hard.

'Think like the opposition'

Later, when officially launching the meeting, Umno FT chief Muhyiddin Yassin said it is time for the BN to start thinking like the opposition if the coalition wants to forge ahead.

He admitted that before the March 2008 tsunami, the opposition had worked tirelessly day in and day out to woo voters.

"If we think like the opposition, we will have to go uphill and face many obstacles. I admit it's not easy, but we must do it because time is not on our side.

"It is time for us to be brave and take the upper position. We must be up front, not behind," he said.

Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president and deputy prime minister, urged BN members to take the initiative to convince voters that they are the best choice for Malaysia.

"We are not in the same situation we have been all these past years. There are times we can rest, but this is not the time.

"It's not really difficult. What the rakyat want to see is that we are sincere in wanting to help.

"What is important is that we tell the people the BN is a viable party... This is not an option, it's a must," he said.