BN component parties should work hard to win next election: Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan National (BN) component parties must prove that they are capable of winning the support of races they are representing in the next general election, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
He said Umno had sacrificed a lot by allocating some Malay-majority seats to BN component parties, but they failed to win them.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno vice-president, added that his party had been too kind to the component parties in adhering to the power-sharing concept in BN, up to the point that some of its party leaders felt "terguris" (offended).
"The time has come for them (component parties) to prove that that they really represent their race ... this is the best time for them to show that they can also win in non-Malay majority areas," he said in his opening speech for the Bukit Bintang Umno delegates meeting at Putra World Trade Centre.
While Umno managed to increase its seats in the 13th General Election, BN component parties such as MIC and MCA suffered major setbacks, with many of the seats going to the opposition.
Ahmad Zahid said such an example of Umno's sacrifices to the component parties could be seen in Perak, where MIC candidates were appointed as the state speaker despite not winning any state seat.
"In Selangor, all of the state seats were won by Umno. BN had provided seats to other component parties but none of them won.
"We are still accommodating to them as we are sincere in our fight, without placing any racial sentiments," he said.
"We want to share the power but I do not think it is fair if all of the burden is placed on Umno," he added.
Later at the opening of Setiawangsa Umno delegates meeting, Ahmad Zahid said it would be the end for the ruling coalition if it failed to receive public support in the next general election.
He added a big BN victory in the 11th General Election had caused many to be complacent, resulting in the major loss suffered in the following 12th and 13th national polls.
"If we fail the third test (14th General Election), we will fail forever. If we win, it will be a new benchmark for us to continue moving forward," he added.
"The 14th General Election will be a new history that we must write if we want to see the relevancy of Umno and BN," he said.