Focus on winning rakyat's vote instead of jostling for positions: Nazri

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno members have been told to focus on winning the rakyat's vote instead of campaigning for positions in the party during the Umno general assembly which commences tomorrow by Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.
The Umno supreme council member said with the 14th General Election around the corner, members should put aside their personal agenda or differences for the greater good of the party.
"I'm especially worried that there will be some members who will be thinking about campaigning, not for the GE, but for positions in Umno.
"Don't be too focused on competitions within the party, but how to win the people's votes. That's much more important than our position in the party," he told reporters after attending Aswara's 12th convocation ceremony, here, today.
Nazri said although the party election is only expected to take place next year, Umno members should be wary of putting individual's interest above that of the party.
"In 2000, I myself quit competing for positions in the party, because to me, the party is more important. I hope we will discuss only on what we need to do (to win the election)," he said.
On former premier and Umno president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's party Pribumi and some members leaving the party to join it, Nazri said it would be short term.
"I'm not worried at all. In the end, they will return to Umno. In the past, who would have thought Mahathir would hug DAP supreme Lim Kit Siang? I can already see the drama five, six years down the road with Mahathir and the rest coming back to Umno," he said.
On the recent altercation between Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and Shah Alam MP Abdul Khalid Samad, Nazri said, should there be any evidence of any wrongdoing, action should be taken on either party.
"For me, two wrongs doesn't make a right. If proven, then answer in court. No excuse, even if you are from my party," he said.
He rubbished claims by some that Umno is a violent party of gangsters (samseng) following recent incidents involving the red shirts and Pasir Salak members assaulting Khalid.
"How can the action of a few be regarded as a reflection of Umno? Millions of other member are not involved in violence," he said.