KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 – Barisan Nasional (BN) component party leaders reiterated today that the party was fully prepared and in its final gear to face the opposition at the 13th General Election. Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein(Pic) said the BN machinery needed to ensure that each candidate received undivided support to secure a win for the party.
“We have closed ranks, boosted our spirits and sounded our battle cry. Our leaders, especially the president (Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) has made meticulous plans, so we’re now in our ‘final gear’ and it’s all systems go,” he said when met after the UMNO supreme council meeting here.
Commenting on Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to contest in Perak, another Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the BN machinery will certainly not be intimidated by this and will ensure the opposition’s dream of seizing Perak does not materialise.
“I’m sure he (Anwar) will contest in a non-BN seat in Perak. They can do whatever they want, this is a democracy but we are certain of defending Perak and Putrajaya. And in order to obtain a two-third majority we must work in an extraordinary way,” he said.
Gerakan party president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon is confident BN can regain Penang, based on the detailed plans in place since four years ago. Penang BN’s manifesto will be announced by its state chairman Teng Chang Yeow soon , said Koh.
MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai expressed confidence that BN candidates in the upcoming election would have a big impact on the people’s welfare and also in implementing Najib’s transformation programme.
“BN has gained many advantages in these four years under the Prime Minister (Najib) as all our promises have been delivered to the people. We will continue with our plans for the well-being of the people when we get another mandate from them,” he said.
MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said at this morning’s meeting consensus was reached to ensure each component party’s approach was relevant with the times so that every level of society received the message. Meanwhile, Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president Tan Sri William Mawan was confident there will be big changes in the selection of candidates at the general election and urged all the BN component party members to accept the matter wholeheartedly.
“I suspect there is a new trend and pattern among the young people. My party and also the component parties should accept this reality. It is something you really need to take into account, some arrangement and replacement. I do not
rule it out, I can only guess,” he said.
Whereas, United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said the party was satisfied with the division of seats which was mutually beneficial for all BN component parties.
“We have discussed the matter a great deal and the results will be announced by the Prime Minister soon. We will win the BN seats, but are concerned with the seats held by those who have left BN, so we need to look into that,” he said. Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili also expressed confidence that BN will defend its two-third majority in Sabah.
“PBS has been fully prepared for the last few months and we’re ready to move as soon as the candidates are announced,” he said.
BERNAMA
