Stop internal bickering, BN Components told

BUKIT MERTAJAM, May 17 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) component party leaders were today told to stop the internal bickering in their respective parties and instead focus on solving the people's problems.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said any differences or problem within each party must be resolved immediately to concentrate on the people.

"I urge each party to overcome its weaknesses and take care of its own backyard. Don't be too busy with politicking to the extent of neglecting the people's interests," he said after meeting the Siamese community of Kampung Telok Wang, here.

He said at the same time, cooperation between the BN component parties must also be strengthened and if there was any problem between them, it should be set aside.

"I urge all BN component party leaders to set aside their differences so that they will be compatible again. Don't get carried away in solving your own problems that you forget about the people's problems," he said.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Penang Umno liaison chief, said BN's poor showing in the last general election was not because the opposition was too strong but because of BN's weakness due to internal problems.

He was confident that BN would be strong again in the next general election if its component parties could strengthen cooperation and understanding among them.

"Cast aside trivial matters and find a new formula to re-emerge as a strong party," he said.

As for Penang Umno, Ahmad Zahid said it would be meeting BN component party leaders at least once a month and so far it had met with Gerakan and MCA leaders.

He said he would meet up with the other component party leaders soon to strengthen relations and draw up programmes to solve the people's problems.

He also called on BN leaders at the parliamentary and state constituency and divisional levels to activate programmes for the people and that he would be using a certain key performance index in monitoring the activities.

-- BERNAMA