KUALA LUMPUR: Umno leaders and members must remain steadfast in continuing the party's struggle to build a better nation, party vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said.
The Titiwangsa member of parliament said this was especially crucial to gear up the party to face the 16th General Election (GE16).
All party leaders and members, said Johari, play an important role in helping Umno to regain the support of all people and parties, especially the Malays, to build the nation.
"We have a big task ahead in three years (GE16). We want to strengthen Umno at all levels and divisions, which will enable the party to continue championing the people's agenda and subsequently developing the nation.
"We need to demonstrate the quality and capability of Umno leaders in every place visited by the party. It is important that in championing the well-being of the people, we cannot lose hope.
"No previous fighters ever lost hope. Sincere fighters, regardless of holding positions or needing to let them go, continue to fight," he said in a speech at the Ihya Ramadan 1445H Kongsi Rezeki Infaq Ramadan programme.
Jointly organised by Cheras Umno division's Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings, a total 400 recipients consisting of asnaf, the disabled and hardcore poor within the Cheras parliamentary constituency received a cash assistance of RM250 and other forms of assistance during the event.
Johari, who is also Plantation and Commodities Minister, said that Umno has never neglected its struggle to ensure better welfare of the people, even though the party only won 26 parliamentary seats in GE15.
"We join Umno not to compete for positions. This is why, without positions (parliamentary seats), Umno is not like how it used to.
"(However) Despite only winning 26 seats, we have never once forgotten our roots as a party to look after the well-being of the people."