KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional needs a fresh image to win the 15th general election (GE15) but its roots must remain based on the Federal Constitution and the principles of the Rukun Negara, says Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki (pic).
The Umno Youth chief also said Barisan must not be apologetic and should be proud of its excellent track record and achievements.
"In the Johor and Melaka state elections, we managed to secure most of the votes at all the youth streams," he said in his speech at the Barisan Convention at the World Trade Centre on Wednesday (June 1).
“Barisan's top leaders were brave and fielded new faces in the state elections.
"In Melaka, 87% of the candidates were new faces while in Johor, we had 79% new faces," he said.
Asyraf Wajdi also noted the need to have clean and good governance and highlighted the importance of expediting the political funding bill and the anti-party hopping law.
"We need to be firm in our main core and agenda to bring better development to our public institutions.
"The political funding bill and the anti-party hopping law must be expedited to ensure stability," he said.
Meanwhile, MIC Youth chief K Raven Kumar said Barisan needs to put forward leaders who can represent all races.
“We must have leaders who, when they go out under the Barisan banner, are not seen as representatives of the Malays, Chinese or Indians but one who represents the people of all races,” he said.
Raven Kumar also paid tribute to former Johor menteri besar Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, whose leadership approach had helped Barisan win the state polls.
Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah youth exco leader Edwin Laimin meanwhile proposed that Barisan include solutions to unemployment among youth in Sabah in its election manifesto.
While he did not present any figures, Laimin said unemployment among youths in Sabah was high and must be addressed immediately.
“That is the aspiration of youth in Sabah and if Barisan wants to win them over, there must be effort and commitment by the coalition to resolve issues and problems affecting the group,” he said.
