Headline Umno, BN must overcome issue of candidates and sabotage to achieve win MediaTitle Borneo Post (KK) Date 13 Dec 2012 Language English Circulation 88,150 Readership 166,173 Section Home Color Black/white Page No A10 ArticleSize 237 cm² AdValue RM 1,365 PR Value RM 4,094

Kedah Umno, BN must overcome issue of candidates and sabotage to achieye win : Kedah Umno candidates selected, we must and (BN) must campaign hard and seriously," he overcome the issue of candidates told Bernama, here. and sabotage if they want to win in The issue of candidates is a the coming 13th general election. critical matter for Umno, to the Political analyst, Assoc Prof Dr extent that Prime Minister and Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said Umno president Datuk Seri Najib the victory of the opposition pact Tun Razak when winding up the in the last general election in 2008 debate on the final day of the was largely due to sabotage by recent general assembly, threw a leaders and members^of Umno. "jackpot" question to test the level "Umno and BN must worry of preparedness of members in about the issue of candidates supporting the party if they were and sabotage. Although the were not picked as candidates. issue is not so obvious after the Five possibilities were put recent Umno general assembly, it forward by Najib to answer might emerge during the coming the question which contained general election," said the dean the pertinent message ­ fully of Universiti Utara 's support the candidates selected International Studies Faculty. by the party, support, don't work, "What Umno and BN can do sabotage or jump party. is to announce the names of the Some days ago, former prime candidates early and probably minister and ex­Umno president also the name of the individual Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to be appointed as Menteri Besar urged Umno members to do if BN wins. away with disgruntlement over "Time is short, if the candidates chosen by the party announcement is made during if they wished to see Umno and the general election. An early BN remain in power and form a announcement will give Umno strong government after the 13th and BN time and space to check general election. sabotage. There is time to plan. It Ahmad Bashah said to change is all connected to the perception the thinking of Umno members of the people. There is no problem over the matter of candidates with hardcore supporters but with was tough, but efforts must still the fence­sitters, especially the be made to change this negative young," he said. attitude and that it was not Meanwhile, Kedah Umno Liaison impossible. Committee chairman Datuk He said while the internal Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said problems in Kedah Umno were it was time for all leaders to do no longer serious now, he received something extraordinary if they good response from the people wanted to wrest back the state. that they would give their support He said Umno leaders must back to Umno and BN. also walk the talk to place "They have felt for themselves party interest above individual in the past five years. This is not interest including supporting the hearsay, but it comes from the candidates picked. people and voters themselves. "Go to the ground and tell the "In the last general election, party members that they should they only wanted to reduce BN's place the party first. Talk from win but it turned out that BN the heart...we cannot say one lost (Kedah). Many were shocked thing and mean something else. including the Chinese and "Say we are willing to accept Indians. But they still have faith anything. Say we will support in BN. The Chinese and Indians anybody fielded as candidate so can see who can actually rule," that the party wins. With the he said.