SETIA ALAM: With only 13 wins to its name in the last General Election (GE14), Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) members were told to let that serve as a lesson.
Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the party had contested 52 parliamentary seats but were only able to secure 13.
"Bersatu does not have many members of Parliament and this is a lesson for us all.
"Maybe at the time Bersatu was still new and people did not know us. Now Bersatu is three years old but it can still be regarded as a new party.
"However, I am confident that with our efforts, Bersatu can retain its position as the ruling party," the prime minister said.
Dr Mahathir was speaking at the "Malam Sejuta Kenangan" programme organised by the party at the Setia Alam Convention Centre (SACC), here, tonight.
Also present were his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, deputy Bersatu president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, vice presidents Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman and Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Ansari, Armada Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman as well party leaders.
The programme was organised to raise funds for the management of the party's divisions and wings.
Elaborating, Dr Mahathir reminded all division chiefs to work harder, including in increasing membership at their respective divisions and branches.
"In a party, we need a lot of manpower to do the work. If we do not have enough members, it would be difficult to attain victory," he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir said every contribution made to political parties must go directly into the parties' accounts and there must be receipts.
"This is no longer like days gone by," he said, adding that there are rules now.
"We admit that political parties need money to ensure various programmes can run smoothly, as well as to win general elections," he added.