HULU TERENGGANU: Barisan Nasional (BN) machinery in Terengganu must work hard to increase the marginal seats it won in the 13th general election, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.
“BN candidates chosen to represent the party at the parliament and state constituencies must win big in this 14th general election.
“We choose the candidates based on the aspiration of the rakyat and note solely based on the choices but the leadership.
“Everyone must accept whoever chosen as candidates with open heart and those not fated to become candidates must close ranks.
“We have many aspirants who are qualified but we have vetted all potential candidates by giving the people’s preference as the first important criteria.
“I know many aspirants feel that they are the best choice but believe me that the party made the best choice,” he said when addressing a large crowd at the launching of the Hulu Terengganu Barisan Nasional election machinery in Kuala Berang.
Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman and Communications and Multimedia deputy minister Datuk Seri Jailani Johari, who is also Umno Hulu Terengganu division chief.
Zahid said aspirants must have strong faith and “we know that problem such as sulking will surface when candidates are announced.
“I do not want ‘chah keting’ (bringing opponents down) to happen. Decisions were made on research and inputs from intelligence.
“When announced, the list of candidates is final and party machinery must accept the decision as a fact.
“Party machinery must work hard to ensure that BN win big,” he said while reminding the audience on BN losing its hold in the government when Pas nearly white washed it with 28 seats against BN’s four seats in the general election of 1999.
Zahid said party members must not entertain differences or risk losing Terengganu to the opposition.
He reiterated that the BN manifesto launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak contained promises which the BN is able to fulfill.
“When BN fulfilled 99.4 per cent of its manifesto spelt in the 13th general election then why must the people have doubts on our resolve to fulfill the promises in the manifesto for the 14th general election.
“Our manifesto will transform the nation to meet future challenges. It is not ‘dedak’ or sweets,” he added.
Zahid later announce that the government had, prior to the dissolution of parliment, approved RM150 million for the construction of the district police headquarters in Kuala Berang.
He also said the construction of a mosque at Kampung Pasir Dula costing RM4 million was also approved.
Earlier, Zahid had a half hour closed door meeting with Umno Hulu Terengganu division committee members at its headquarters in Kuala Berang.