KUALA SELANGOR: Umno members have been told not to abandon the party if they are not chosen to contest in the upcoming general election.
Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said instead, those not fielded as candidates should continue serving the party with “all their hearts”.
“We are about to face the general election and all of us would want to lobby ourselves as candidates. But if our lobbying fails, please do not turn your backs on the party.
“Do not become members of the opposition party. Do not resort to not wanting to vote for Barisan Nasional. Do not stop serving the party but continue to fight for our struggles.
“It is still possible to try lobbying again in the future. It is all about patience and sincerity in working for the party and one day, the chance will come. They must play a role to protect the party and do not be envious of others.
“We need to work with all Barisan Nasional component parties to ensure political stability in the country so that Malaysians can live in harmony,” said Johari.
Johari, who is also second finance minister, said this when opening the Kuala Selangor Umno divisional delegates’ meeting here, today.
Present were Kuala Selangor Umno division chief Datuk Ishak Harun and Kuala Selangor member of parliament Datuk Seri Irmohizam Ibrahim, who is also an Umno supreme council member.
Johari said it was important to put the party first even if there were internal conflicts in various Umno divisions.
“We need to stay united because if we split, the Chinese and Indian voters will lose confidence in us. For so long, the Chinese and Indians have been looking up to us.
“We have been able to secure a two-thirds majority in Parliament since Merdeka, so they know that Umno is united and they know we are doing the right thing for the country.
“If we have a problem, we have to solve it together. Umno was tested when Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah set up Semangat 46 and during Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Reformasi period.
“But our unity helped us weather the storm,” said Johari.