JOHOR BARU: Johor Baru Umno division chief Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad said the division's strength does not lie in any of its leaders but in its members.
He said as long as its members stay united, Umno Johor Baru will continue to approach and help the people in the constituency.
"We want people to see Umno as the only party that can assist and serve them because we realised that it is their support that gives strength to the party members," said Shahrir.
Shahrir, who is also Johor Baru MP, said that Johor Baru Umno is ready to face the general election.
"On behalf of Johor Baru Umno, I give my assurance that when the Prime Minister announces the date of the election, we will be ready," said Shahrir.
He said this in his speech at the opening of the Johor Baru Umno delegates meeting by Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Also present was Johor Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
Shahrir also urged the state government to continue to maintain and expand Malay majority areas in the constituency in order for Umno to continue receiving support in the urban areas.
"We are happy when the state government agreed to turn the industrial area in Larkin into an affordable housing area.
"I also hope that the Federal government would allow idle lands that they own to be used for the same purpose," said Shahrir.
He also slammed the privatisation policy of previous leaders, saying that it had caused Umno to lose support as people were forced to be relocated to other areas.
"I hope the government would set aside this policy. Thankfully, the leaders who favour this policy have left Umno to form Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), which can be called Parti Penswastaan Bersatu Malaysia (United Malaysian Privatisation Party)," said Shahrir.