DON’T BE LITTLE UMNO
TAWAU:
Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin reminded opposition parties, including PAS, not to belittle Umno, while admitting the Party need to improve various areas. Muhyiddin, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, said the rise and fall of power is part and parcel of life and had happened to all parties.
“That is his opinion. For us in Umno, the Party has been long established with more than three million members and can be regarded as he biggest political organisation,” he said when commenting on Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat’s statement describing Umno as a dying tree’.
“Every political organisation will have its seasons. Sometimes we are strong, sometimes we will face problems. “Opposition leaders will not respect us. We don’t expect them to make positive comments or statements although problems also exist in PAS and Pakatan Rakyat,” he said after attending a Chinese New Year open house organised by Umno Kalabakan. Also present at the event was Member of Parliament for Kalabakan and Umno Kalabakan Chief Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh. He said Umno and Barisan Nasional’s (BN) defeat in several bye elections are not indicators that the Party is weak and cannot rise again.
“We admit our weaknesses, but it does not mean that we are hopeless cases. After the general election we realised this and have started to make internal changes and reforms. Don’t underestimate Umno’s strength.” he said. He said BN and Umno hoped to send a message to the people that the Party is not static and are willing to make improvements necessary with the country’s changing political landscape.
Muhyiddin added that he is confident the people will accept the Party’s changes and ensure victory for BN in the next general election for continuing development in the country. Meanwhile, Ghapur said he plans to setup a Chinese School Education Fund to assist the Chinese schools in Kalabakan. He hoped the community will contribute to the fund and if there is a need, he would get assistance from the Education Minister.
