SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has called on Barisan Nasional (BN) members to close ranks, hinting that the 15th General Election (GE15) will be called soon.
He said it was crucial for everyone in the coalition to unite, and urged for all infighting to stop.
"We should stop attacking one another and instead start 'attacking' the opposition from now. We should show to the people that we are united and stable.
"The election will be called for soon and we must start working as if the election is tomorrow.
"Our party must be seen as a party that is strong through our unity," he said at the BN Selangor Convention here, today.
He reiterated that the coalition should be ready with strategies to regain the people's trust, adding that if BN led the government, much can be done for the people.
"This is why it's important for us (party members) to support the government today. The problem is that we do not get enough of that support from our own people."
Ismail Sabri also said while the country's economy had seen improvements, political stability was important to attract more foreign investments.
This was achieved, he said, through the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with opposition parties.
The MoU, he said, was focused on Parliamentary transformation and not on policy.
He said through the MoU, Parliament had formed 13 select committees to look into new legislation, including the new anti-hopping law, which was passed in Parliament on Thurs.
The MoU also enabled the Political Funding Bill to be tabled in Parliament, which was currently being studied by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Law and Parliament.
"It is through this MoU that we are able to stabilise the economy," he added.
Ismail Sabri said the government also managed to keep inflation rates low at 3.4 per cent, which was among the lowest in the world.
The World Economic Forum, he said, had ranked Malaysia second in Southeast Asia in in the Global Competitiveness Index and was also placed at 32 in the world.
"The world regards Malaysia well because we have a strong foundation (but) it seems as though we reject this evaluation because we use up our time thinking and discussing the bad things until we forget and do not trust our own strengths.
"This is because we are trapped with the perception brought by the opposition, that we ourselves talk about things that discredit our country."
BN members, he added, should be the mouthpiece for the party, spreading good news about the government and its initiatives for the people.
"Spread things like the government giving subsidies worth RM77 billion, and keeping the inflation rate low.
"We must explain these things to the grassroots and social media. Use your social media platforms to spread good news."
He also warned against sabotaging one another in the upcoming election, especially if they were not chosen as candidates.
"Sulking is normal, but do not sabotage your fellow comrade who was chosen because what's important is our party, BN."
Ismail Sabri also reminded party members to conduct studies on the attitude of voters to gauge their perception and support for the party.
He said it was vital for BN to understand its strengths and that of the enemy's, and prevent from being caught off guard by their strategies.
"Umno has started doing this so I hope MIC and MCA will do the same.
"We cannot assume that we have their support just because many people show up to the programmes we organise."