KIMANIS: Barisan Nasional needs to win big in the upcoming general elections to ensure that it no longer has to rely on others when governing the country.
Caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said currently, with BN having only 42 parliamentary seats, there is always concern that "buttons will be pressed" anytime that will lead to the collapse of the government.
He said despite the signing of Memorandum of Understanding with other parties such as Pakatan Harapan, it does not make sense for BN to rely on them to continue ruling the country.
"We must have our own strength, we need to decide the government, not other people.
"In Putrajaya, to be strong, we need to win big. If we contribute only a few seats, we will not become dominant," he said during the 'BN Gelombang Biru' event at Kimanis Commercial Centre here.
Ismail Sabri, who is also Umno vice president, added that the formula to win the elections is to ensure solidarity within the BN's component party.
As for Sabah, the solidarity has to be extended to the ruling state government, which is the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
"To face the GE15, we cannot be divided, we need to be united. Just like what Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin had said earlier in his speech that those nominated as candidates would represent the party.
"We need to oblige with all the instructions from the top leaders of the party. The collaboration between GRS and BN is to ensure victory in the GE15.
"It is pointless if we get all the seats but lose all in the GE15. Our purpose is to win as many seats as possible, not to fight among ourselves.
"We can contest in all the seats and clash with one another, but in the end, we lose and become the opposition," he said.
Present at the event were BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, state BN chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and incumbent Kimanis member of Parliament Datuk Mohamad Alamin.
Sabah BN party component leaders Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) deputy president Datuk Arthur Kurup, Sabah MCA chairman Lu Yen Yong and Sabah MIC chairman Peer Mohamad Kadir were also spotted at the event.