The Barisan Nasional (BN) machinery is much better prepared to face the 14th general election (GE14) compared to the previous one.

Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein said this included BN's preparedness in facing slander and accusations by the Opposition through social media.

"We are not taking GE14 easily… During GE13 it was great too (the attacks made against BN) where I admit we were not prepared, and rebuttals were not done immediately.

"For example, the issue of Bangladeshi voters, or blackout in Raub, Pahang. But when it was proven to be false and we wanted to answer, it was already too late," Hishammuddin told a press conference after the launch of the BN machinery in the Kuala Pilah parliamentary constituency today.

Also present were Kuala Pilah BN chairperson Ismail Lasim, who is also Kuala Pilah Umno division chief, Kuala Pilah MP Hasan Malek, who is also Malaysia's Ambassador to Cambodia, BN Kuala Pilah leaders and 3,000 BN members.

Commenting further, Hishammuddin, who is also defence minister, said apart from the steady preparation of the party's machinery, all internal issues in the party had also been resolved.

"However, we will continue to monitor... I want us to focus on meticulous preparations ahead of GE14," he said.

'Dr M frequently changes stance'

Asked to comment on the statement by Dr Mahathir Mohamad of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia on Wednesday, claiming that PAS was a troublemaker party and it was only assisting BN in GE14, Hishammuddin said the former prime minister had the knack of making inconsistent statements and frequently changed his stance.

"He frequently makes U-turns and now his attacks are also shifting (from one target to another)... today he is attacking PAS, I think PAS should answer (this) because we are just focusing on our work.

"What's important is, we let the people see for themselves," he said.

In the meantime, Hishammuddin stressed that BN's strategy of bringing together various parties representing various races was unique, and difficult to be emulated by other parties.

Earlier in his speech, he called on all BN members in the Kuala Pilah parliamentary constituency to continue to work hard to ensure the Parliament seat and five state seats under it, namely Pilah, Johol, Juasseh, Senaling and Seri Menanti, continue to remain under BN in GE14.

In the GE13, BN won all five state seats and the Kuala Pilah parliamentary seat.

"Starting today, we have no other choice but to rise up with extraordinary spirit," he said.

The Sembrong MP also reminded members not to allow the current issues exploited by the opposition to undermine their unity.

- Bernama