All Umno divisions in Kedah, scheduled to hold their divisional meetings from May 14 to June 15, have been urged to focus on strengthening the party to face the 13th general election.

Kedah Umno liaison chief Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said the state Umno would monitor the divisional meetings to avoid any unforeseen problems.

He said there has been positive developments in Kedah Umno and expressed confidence that the divisional meetings would be conducted smoothly, including Umno Youth, Wanita Umno and Puteri.

"Time is not on our side, so we will have to work hard to eliminate any issues that can derail efforts to strengthen the party, through continuous efforts to regain the confidence of the people," he told reporters after chairing a state Umno meeting in Alor Setar today.

Ahmad Bashah said new guidelines approved by the party would also see a 100 percent increase in the number of delegates for meetings.

According to Ahmad Bashah, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has been scheduled to open the Baling and Padang Terap Umno division meetings on May 20, while Umno vice president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would open the Pokok Sena division meeting on May 14.

- Bernama