Close ranks after going through all the challenges in the last general election and party polls, and ensure victory for Umno in the 14th general election (GE14).

That was the gist of Umno president Najib Abdul Razak's message to Umno leaders and delegates at the 2013 Umno General Assembly here today.

NONE Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal ( left ) said the party president also stressed on the importance for unity and solidarity to be enhanced among Umno members at all levels.

"Forget all that happened during the party election because we must ensure that this big ship of ours (Umno) will sail to victory at the 14th general election was a key point in the president's message."

Mohd Shafie said this to reporters after attending the closed-door meeting where Najib delivered his message at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Mohd Shafie said Najib also called on all the Umno leaders and delegates to emphasise several approaches that could strengthen the party to face future challenges.

"This time around, Umno is adopting a different approach by using key performance indicators (KPI) on Umno leadership from the divisional level up to the Supreme Council (MT).

"This is to ensure that, at the end of the day, there will be results and contributions that can be interpreted so that the party will remain a trend-setter," Mohd Shafie said.

The Umno vice president also said Najib's message also touched on the importance of the party's contributions to the people at the grassroots.

Uplift status of Islam

Meanwhile, the newly-appointed Umno MT member, Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, said the message also touched on the party's efforts to uplift the status of Islam in the country.

Asyraf Wajdi, who is also Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) president, quoted Najib as saying that a 'syariah index' would be created to determine Malaysia's seriousness in championing the cause of Islam.

"This index will also enable us to identify our weaknesses in a bid to uphold Islam. This is also in line with the objective to put religion first above other matters," he said.

Johor Umno Liaison Committee chairman Mohamad Khaled Nordin said Najib also said that Umno should have a clear vision, be it short-term or long-term, in a bid to further develop the country and uphold the status of Islam.

NONE "We have the general vision before, but this time around, we need a clearer short-term vision and long-term vision," he said.

Meanwhile, Kedah Umno Liaison Committee chairman Mukhriz Mahathir ( right ) said Najib wanted the implementation of Umno's efforts to uphold the status of Islam, the Malays and the country, to be felt by the people.

Mukhriz said the Umno president's message also touched on the use of social media to enable Umno to reach out to six million new voters in the future.

Puteri Umno-designate chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said Najib also underlined a clear mission and vision for Umno and BN to remain as the preferred party among the people in the country.

NONE Malacca Umno liaison committee chairman Idris Haron ( right ) said the party president also called on all Umno members to find their similarities and put aside all differences that could compromise unity.

"In Malacca, I have deployed the party machinery to reach out to the people at the grassroots. This must be done to enable the party to be respected, not only by its allies, but also enemies," he said.

On the status of monarchy institution in the country, Umno MT member Mohd Puad Zakashi said Najib wanted it to be protected and defended at all times.

Bachok Umno chief Awan Adek Hussin, on the other hand, described the president's message as giving fresh ideas for the party to continue fighting its cause.

- Bernama