Like just waiting for the switch to be put on, several Umno division leaders have stated their preparedness if the government decides to hold the general election very soon.

Their preparedness is the result of general election simulation exercises held at the the party's divisional level from June until this month, besides the general preparations made in facing the 13th general election.

The simulation exercise had identified the voters, the potential winnable candidates and the party's general election committees, which are now prepared to face the real election.

Seri Gading Umno division chief Mohamed Aziz said the simulation exercise was to refresh the minds of the election workers from the party and to reactivate the election machinery in facing the real situation.

NONE "It's good to have the simulation exercise though we've always been and must always be prepared. We should not take things lightly, definitely not the general election," he told Bernama .

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday reminded the BN component parties to strengthen unity, and indicated that the general election was getting nearer, saying there was limited time, probably a few months, before the election.

The simulation exercises were held on the orders of the Umno headquarters after the party's supreme council decided this on May 27 as preparation for the coming general election.

On Muhyiddin's statement, Mohamed, who is also Sri Gading MP, said the party leadership was looking for a suitable date and this was indicative to Umno members about the coming general election.

Puteri Umno chief Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said the simulation exercises made her members more prepared to face any eventuality, besides getting good exposure for the real situation.

'Work of Puteri will not overlap'

Ketua Puteri Umno, Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin "So when the time comes, Puteri's work will not be overlapping with that of the other wings in order to have a positive impact. It will be more systematic and Puteri will be better prepared to deal with potentially arising problems," said Rosnah ( left ), who is also deputy health minister.

Selayang Umno division chief Abdul Shukor Idrus, who is also Kuang assemblyperson, said the simulation exercises gave party members some useful ideas on how to woo voters who had previously turned against Umno.

"We have identified, for example, what should be done, what are the opposition's strategies that we need to tackle, and how long should our ceramah sessions should be.

"The simulation exercises were important, although the divisions generally have been prepared for the general election at any time. We're just fine-tuning things while there's still time," he said.

"Hit the switch and we'll move," Shukor added, encapsulating the state of Umno divisions' preparedness in facing the 13th general election.

The current parliamentary terms ends in March 2013, less than two years from now.

- Bernama