KUALA LUMPUR: Cooperation between Umno and PAS is beginning to bear fruit, with the recent electoral gains in Negri Sembilan showing the strength of the renewed ties, says Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
The Umno secretary-general said the cooperation with the party's former ally had contributed to Barisan Nasional securing 92.47% of military votes in Negri Sembilan, with the coalition winning all 88 military voting channels.
“The unity of the ummah with our former ally PAS is now increasingly envied by our opponents, to the extent that we have had to pay a high price.
“Various forms of intimidation, various forms of slander and various malicious accusations have been created merely to frighten, humiliate, tarnish the reputation and weaken the resolve of our leaders,” he said when opening the Umno general assembly at Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, on Friday (Sept 11).
Asyraf said the challenges were part of the trials faced by those committed to the struggle.
“What happened recently also reminds us how corrupt people can become when they are intoxicated by temporary power, losing their judgement and recklessly abusing the remnants of their positions,” he said.
He said Umno's renewed momentum was also reflected in the response to the “rumah bangsa” concept introduced by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the previous general assembly.
“Since it was announced at the Umno general assembly about seven months ago, a total of 45,808 people have been recorded as members and returned to the rumah bangsa,” he said.
Asyraf said this brought Umno's total membership to 3,251,456 as at Aug 31, comprising 1.4 million Wanita members, 418,000 Youth members and 226,000 Puteri members.
Johor recorded the highest increase in new members over the past eight months, followed by Pahang, Selangor, Perak and Sabah, he said.
He also expressed appreciation to former senior party leaders who had returned to the fold, including Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Khairy Jamaluddin, Tan Sri Hamid Albar, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop and Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
However, Asyraf cautioned party members against becoming complacent following the recent electoral gains.
“Do not look too far upwards when the wind is in our favour, because the wave that carries us upwards can also crash us down.
“Remember, this victory is not a licence for us to beat our chests, but an amanah for us to serve the people better, with humility and sincerity,” he said.
