KUALA LUMPUR: The 71st Umno General Assembly will be a critical platform for party members to gear up for the 14th General Election.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the party’s more than three million members must put other matters on the back burner to prepare for the polls.
He said it was undeniable that the election, which would determine Umno’s future, presented huge challenges, hence the assembly must be used to discuss efforts to ensure that Umno-led Barisan Nasional retained the mandate that it had been entrusted with for decades.
“Everything depends on the general election. There is no point in winning high positions in the party if Umno is not given the mandate by the rakyat. Leaders in areas that we have lost can attest to this.”
He cautioned the party’s grassroots leaders against focusing on securing posts at the expense of preparing for the election.
“We should not be so eager to fight for party positions that we disregard our responsibilities to ensure Umno wins the election.
“This is our priority, and no one should bring up the party’s internal problems in the near future.
“We have never stopped them from doing so in the past years, but as the election is nearing, put your personal interest aside and focus on the party,” he said during an interview on TV3’s Soal Jawab programme.
He told Umno leaders holding positions at the division, state and Supreme Council levels that they had two options: “surrender and leave it to fate” or “rise with confidence that the party will remain reliable and will not only safeguard their fate, but also their grandchildren’s”.
“They have to go to the ground, check their ego, forget personal interests and cast aside issues they may have with anyone. The party is the most important and it supersedes everything.”
He said Umno was a democratic and inclusive party, and its track record proved its capabilities in honouring its promises.
He said BN should use the strong bond between component parties to win the support of people of different races and religions.
“I had a discussion with MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Gerakan president Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong and MIC vice-president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran, who is also Dewan Negara speaker, on how we can use our strong bond to be more inclusive.
“I am not worried about losing... I am more worried about winning without the support of others.
“A common direction and desire can give hope to the younger generation, regardless of race or religion.”
The assembly will be held from Dec 5 to 9.
‘Members must have winning mentality’
Question: A “winning mentality” was the key phrase at the recent Ummah Agenda Empowerment Convention 3.0 (KPAU).
Answer: We have gone through so many trials and tribulations, and our party and leaders have been attacked from left and right with so many issues as though Umno has done nothing good. So, we decided to hold the convention to gather those who love the party as well as those willing to fight for our religion, race and country. I could see the level of confidence had increased from past conventions. We didn’t discuss petty things and focused solely on our political survival. We discussed critical issues, like the survival of Malays, Muslims and the country, in this challenging world.
Q: When you talk about the winning mentality, does it cover Barisan Nasional winning a two-thirds majority in the next polls?
A: In politics, we must aim high and be able to face tests. We must have the confidence to win, not just a slim win, but a two-thirds majority. That is why we want to imbue members with the “winning mentality”. But aims must be supported with a strong will and hard work that must be done systematically and with a target. We have been doing that through approaches that involve the grassroots. We are also micro-targeting. Things must be well translated at the grassroots level and not just look good on paper.
Q: How is Umno channelling confidence to states that have lost in previous elections?
A: This will depend on the leaders themselves. Are they strong and confident? Are they more focused on being chosen as a candidate in the next general election? The top leadership is monitoring this because it is about the survival of our party. We will know who can be trusted and sincere enough to be with the leadership when the party needs them most. Insyallah, if we win, we know who we should take along.
Q: How do you shift Umno members’ attention from the party polls to the general election?
A: The realisation is there that focusing on the GE is most important now. We have to realise that it does not matter what position you have in the party. If Umno is not given the mandate and power by the people, there is no point. Leaders in areas that we have lost can attest to this. This was also what we
emphasised at KPAU.
Q: With 826 motions received from 191 Umno divisions, and all accepted, do you think this will increase the grassroots’ confidence in Umno and that it is the best voice for Muslims in pursuing the national agenda?
A: We have various channels for members to voice their suggestions. We even have cabinet ministers serving as chairman in task forces and presenting motions, and they include Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh and Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (education), Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki (religion) and Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani (finance).
Our members’ voices would not only be presented to the ministers, but will also be discussed and included in the motions that would be debated at the general assembly. Umno has the channels and is democratic and inclusive enough. We listen to all to build a country that is inclusive, and Umno will make sure that the people’s voices are heard, deliberated on and turned into policies that can benefit all, not only members of the party.
Q: The 2018 Budget had announcements that promoted the “feel-good factor”.
A: It is important to show the people that, through Umno, the ruling coalition was able to include feel-good factors in the budget. It was the outcome of our fights, and we must take ownership of the budget. I can see that it was well accepted by the people. It is important that it is translated to the grassroots in a more rational way as we don’t want people to spin issues or deny our success.
The Defence Ministry, for example, will get almost everything that we asked for. We have our direction that includes focus on, among others, the country’s security preparedness, welfare of security forces, National Service programme, housing agenda... everything was included in the budget. During the tabling of the budget, the prime minister did not touch on everything as it is up to us to explain this to the grassroots. They should know that their welfare, education and health are taken care of. Some parties will try to make use of one issue, especially the alternative media, to make us look as if we have done nothing, even though BN and Umno have been giving their best.
Q: Does this mean that whatever suggestions presented will be deliberated on?
A: The fight is continuous. If the party does not fight for the people, then it will face the music. Whether we like it or not, we have to understand the hopes of others, either the youngsters or those who feel neglected. These are the things that leaders in every country cannot deny. Developed and developing countries are dealing with the cost-of-living issue. It is not unique to Malay-sia. I am not trying to make light of the issue, but this is a phenomenon, and those who love to point fingers... what alternative do they have? It is easy to point fingers, but can they provide us with an alternative budget? If not, they should just keep quiet.
Q: Some feel the party’s focus on Muslims and Malays is discriminatory. Your comment?
A: We stand by the wasatiyyah concept. We are positive and constructive in our struggles, and that should be made known to the public. We have to accept the fact that there are groups who are extreme and they can’t accept our opinion. These group of people should not be left aside. We should reach out to them without neglecting the bigger group of people. This is the role of the party and its leaders. We focus on the majority because they are the ones who will decide our country’s stability, unity and children’s future. If the “bad” ones fail to influence the majority, their plan will not succeed. That is why, for me, what is most important is for the party to reach out to the grassroots. This is the method we use to convince the majority.
Q:There are proposals for the top two positions in Umno to be uncontested in next year’s party polls. Your comment?
A: The members are open to bringing up any issue, and I find that a few have suggested that the top two positions — president and deputy president — be left uncontested. I agree with this, because what is even more important is to maintain solidarity. I am also tired of people trying to pit Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi against me or him against the prime minister. I think enough is enough. There are other posts that can be contested.
Q: How can Umno strengthen BN component parties?
A: There is no point if we are the only ones prepared for the general election because we are all in the same ship. We need the support and cooperation from other component parties because winning the hearts of Malay voters is not enough in ensuring the country’s continued development and gaining respect. This is what party founder Datuk Onn Jaafar realised when we fought for our independence. We will know whether their (component parties’) efforts are enough and whether they meet the expectations of the people if we are not punished by the people. The people want someone who represents the rakyat. They may not look at your skin colour, but at your service to others. We have proven that we are capable, and we will do that again in the next general election.
Q: On fence sitters.
A: I am worried about voters who are under the radar and first-time voters. This is where our Wanita wing can engage them. What we promised in our manifesto and how we delivered in our budget should be told to all. We have to make sure our supporters do not take things for granted and perform their duty to vote. All these preparations should be done from now.
Q: What would be your message to Umno members?
A: Focus on the general election. Everyone should realise that the 14th General Election is one of the most challenging ones, but I also believe in the strength we have and everyone’s hard work. We have to realise that the survival of the party is at stake, and I hope everyone gives his or her utmost focus to GE14 and support those who are chosen as candidates.