Update - Govt should stop funding PR seats, says Umno man

Update Govt should stop funding PR seats, says Umno man

Tags: Abdul Shukur Idrus | Barisan Nasional | Umno

Written by Chua Sue-Ann & Chan Kok Leong

Friday, 16 October 2009 11:41

KUALA LUMPUR: The Barisan Nasional-led (BN) federal government should stop funding all parliamentary and state constituencies controlled by Pakatan Rakyat (PR), Umno Selangor information chief Abdul Shukur Idrus told the party's delegates today.

"(The government should) give only to those areas in which we (BN) won so people can differentiate how the BN works compared to the opposition," Abdul Shukur said during debates of Umno President Datuk Seri Najib Razak's policy speech.

BN representatives occupy 305 of the 505 state seats, excluding Sarawak which has yet to hold its state elections. BN also controls 137 out of the 222 parliamentary seats.

Earlier in his speech, Abdul Shukur called on the government to channel assistance directly to the rakyat, suggesting that Umno division chiefs be given allocations "to help the people".

Abdul Shukur urged Umno members to always display their best behaviours as people were always watching, adding that the party needed to "learn from the previous defeats" and embody the spirit of 1Malaysia.

"Our success in returning to power can determine the future of our race. Failure will result in us being like citizens of our neighbouring countries, having to work as domestic helpers and labourers in other countries.

"Imagine if that happened to our future generations," he told some 2,000 delegates.

BN and Umno's reduced win during the 12th general election in March last year continued to feature in debates, with speakers calling for unity and proposing strategies to improve the ruling coalition's fortunes.

Kedah representative Datuk Md Rozai Shafian put the blame for BN's losses squarely on the BN component parties.

"What damned us (menjahanamkan kita) during the last general elections was the component parties, not Umno," he said, adding that Umno had to endure the ensuing criticism.

Rozai said after the general elections, he looked to see if the party's symbolic keris had been sheathed but was relieved to find that "the keris was still sharp and not sheathed".

The Pendang Umno division chief also said any proposals for development must be studied and implemented carefully because the rural seats were no longer "fixed deposits" for Umno and BN, much less the urban seats.

Meanwhile, Penang Umno representative Shabudin Yahaya said Umno needed to establish more media outlets and set up a dewan ulama wing in the party, if necessary.

Shabudin, who is Tasek Gelugor Umno division chief, said the party must firm up the "Umno brand" in fighting the opposition, via increasing Umno media outlets such as Umno bloggers and newspapers.

According to Shabudin, Umno members must also get closer to people from all walks of life, including the professionals, university students, youth and religious groups.

"If we need to establish a Dewan Ulama Umno, then so be it," he said.

This suggestion appears to borrow from the structure of PAS which includes an ulama body (dewan ulamak) in its party structure.

Several speakers today also opened fire at government-linked companies (GLCs), including Batu Umno division chief Yahaya Mat Ghani who called for more top positions in GLCs to be given to Umno loyalists.

"Give positions in GLCs to Umno members who are loyal to the party in order to maintain good ties between the GLCs and Umno," he said.

Kelantan Umno representative Datuk Noor Zahidi Omar also slammed GLCs, which he said were occupied with "currying favours (membodek)" with the prime minister by sending gifts during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Noor Zahidi, who is Tumpat division chief, also urged Najib to look into the complaints of "Umno activists" who were denied promotions in GLCs because their superiors "were not together with Umno".

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Last Updated on Friday, 16 October 2009 15:16

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