Bai'ah, asserted by Umno president at a briefing yesterday could strengthen Umno members' resolve to ensure BN's victory in the next general election, said Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said bai'ah, which means a pledge of allegiance, to the party could help avoid sabotage against BN candidates in the general election.

Ahmad Zahid said Umno members should honour the oath of allegiance and translate it into actions in an effort to garner the support of the people.

"With the general election looming, a ceasefire should be enforced at the grassroots level to ensure that perennial problems would not interfere with the party's focus on the general election.

"Most importantly, we must forget contests for positions in the party by focusing on loyalty, and strengthening and empowering the election machinery so that the promises made can be delivered to the people," he told Bernama.

Umno Youth executive committee member Sohaimi Shahadan said the preponderance of members sulking, balking and boycotting should be curtailed if members understood the message driven home by Najib Abdul Razak when briefing delegates to the Umno general assembly yesterday.

Umno supreme council member Awang Adek Hussin said the oath of allegiance could help solve internal strife in the tussle for candidacy in the election.

- Bernama