KUALA LUMPUR: Party membership can no longer be translated into loyalty at the ballot box, says Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
Referencing the recent Sabah state elections, he said Umno boasted a membership of 622,637 but only received 144,584 votes.
“I must be straightforward on this. We always celebrate an increasing membership as a sign of our strength but the reality is that this does not materialise into victories during elections.
“Party members are not necessarily our voters and our voters may not necessarily stick with us.
“Figures in many states also show a drastic difference between the number of party members and votes received,” he said in his speech at the Umno annual general assembly here on Friday (Jan 16).
According to Asyraf, Umno currently has 3.52 million members, following an additional 46,655 joining this year.
He added that recent political exodus from the party further eroded Umno’s strength nationwide, with the trend repeating itself during the 13th, 14th and 15th general elections.
“In the coming Melaka and Johor state elections as well as the 16th General Election, we have to ask ourselves if our growing membership will be enough to guarantee victory?” he said.
“This is a reality we must address head on. Loyalty is no longer deemed automatic,” he added.
Asyraf also urged members to close ranks, discuss differences with decorum and to unite as one.
