KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wants members to give their full commitment and dedication to the upcoming by-elections.
"We will be facing one or two by-elections soon and our deputy chairman and his committee has prepared the right strategies.
"There will be short and long term challenges but if we have enough love and care for the party, as well as commitment and dedication, and InsyaAllah..I think Umno and Barisan will continue to succeed," he said at Umno's 68th Anniversary celebration at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) on Sunday.
The Election Commission has set May 31 as polling day for the Teluk Intan by-election and May 25 for the Bukit Gelugor by-election.
Najib, who is Umno president, pointed out that the party was faced with a new environment and it must be prepared to look at its strength and make improvements.
"For instance, in this new political reality, Umno cannot just maintain its strong support in the rural areas and must take the initiative to win the hearts of the urban, semi-urban and those in urban villages who stay in urban areas but votes in the rural area," he said.
He noted that Umno must be more open in welcoming more intellectuals and professionals within its rank.
"Have we given the intellectuals enough opportunity to join us or have we made it hard for them to join us so they can also serve the community.
"We must also be able to attract more ulama (Muslim scholars) as it is important to help champion and chart the future of Islam," he said.
Najib called on Umno leaders to be well-equipped and continue to win the hearts of the younger generation especially in the cyber space.
"We must remember that the social media, which is considered a neutral platform, is vital as those who managed to colour the platform will get the most influence.
"It is not about how many bloggers we have but we must understand that its their influence that matters most," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, and other component party leaders attended the event where Tan Sri Hassan Azhari and Tan Sri Dr Salma Ismail were honoured as Tokoh Melayu Terbilang 2014.
