Tok Mat: Umno needs to focus on GE15, not party polls

— FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno’s focus in 2022 should be on winning the 15th General Election (GE15) rather than its own party polls, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

The Umno deputy president said it was most important for the party to concentrate on winning GE15 to form the government and return to power.

“The focus of this Umno General Assembly 2021 should be on preparing ourselves for the next general election.

“The focus should not be on party elections. It should not be focusing on getting rid of individuals or distributing posts and gratification,” said Mohamad, adding that the general election should be held now and “not next year”.

Mohamad said this in his speech at the opening of the Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings’ meetings here on Wednesday (March 16).

Party elections must be held by the end of the year, after it was postponed for 18 months in June last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

GE15 must be held by July 2023, but there have been calls, especially from within Umno, for the election to be called soon.

“We must win the election with a large majority to form a stable government,” he told those present.

Mohamad also said GE15 should be called soon as Barisan Nasional needed to return the mandate to the people, adding that Barisan’s legitimacy had been questioned because it did not gain power by winning an election.

He also said that he was aware there are those against calling for GE15 soon, and questioned if the situation would favour Barisan if polls are delayed.

“For Umno to return and become a strong party, it must not let its MPs forget their responsibilities.

“Umno cannot allow its own stance to be isolated due to the behaviour of certain MPs. This is a weakness that Umno must eradicate,” said Mohamad.