JOHOR BARU: Johor Umno should not focus on winning only state seats but also parliamentary seats.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the party must concentrate on dominating not only the state government but also gaining power at the federal level.
"We must look beyond Johor. Although winning at the state level is crucial, we should also seek out other areas so that we can make a motion not to be together in the unity government. ('Kita tidak boleh hanya berfikir di Johor sahaja.
Mungkin kita menang di peringkat DUN Johor, kemudian kita boleh fikir untuk pergi ke setengah bahagian lain untuk kita membuat usul tidak bersama dalam Kerajaan Perpaduan').
"But if Barisan Nasional (BN) only wins in Johor but loses in all other states, we will not have any representation (in the government) at the federal level," Khaled said when officiating at the Pasir Gudang Umno division meeting today.
There were motions from several Umno divisions in the state, including in Tenggara and Kluang, that wanted the party to sever ties with Pakatan Harapan (PH), especially DAP, because it was seen as detrimental to Umno and the Malays.
Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, when officiating at the Tenggara division meeting last week, was reported to have said that the party's participation in any political coalition in the 16th General Election was not yet assured.
Khaled, who is also the Pasir Gudang Umno division head, said all parties in Umno in the state need to understand that the party was founded on the national struggle that led to independence and brought development to the country.
He said Umno was based on the struggle for nationalism and not for the state.
Khaled, who is also the defence minister, said Umno agreed to work with PH and subsequently formed the unity government by not compromising the principles and values of the party's struggle since its establishment.
"Despite being part of the unity government, Umno will remain committed to its cause. In the cabinet, we will just be frank — if it is a yes, we will say yes and likewise." Khaled said while DAP used to touch on issues concerning Malay sensitivities, it no longer does so.
"This change is because the party now has to carefully consider its statements due to its alliance with Umno in the government."
Khale said if Umno had opted to form a unity government with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Perikatan Nasional after the 15th General Election, Umno might not exist today.
"We might not have another chance for 30, 50, or even 60 years. We could become irrelevant and disappear from the political scene. We must keep this in mind. Umno is determined to come out (of the unity government) strongly."