Umno post is no guarantee of a win in national polls: Najib

KUANTAN: Umno members were reminded that they were no longer living in the 70s and 80s where by they could win seats in the general election merely by being division chiefs.
Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said time had flown and the political setting had changed to such as an extent that even if one held a good post in the party, it would not guarantee a win in the elections.
"Party members must not be too engrossed with party posts and campaigning night and day, setting up operations rooms with all kinds of displays and end up losing the elections.
''The approach now is to be people-friendly and implement people-centric projects so as to win back their hearts and for them to stand by us,'' he said his speech at a gathering marking his homecoming as the sixth Prime Minister here Saturday.
He added that members must make it a point to understand the peoples' problems and find ways to overcome them because it would make them feel good and this in turn, would ensure they want to be with the party.
“Gone are the days when it was a breeze for the party to win the people's hearts and confidence because Malaysians now are a better educated lot and aware of the current happenings and issues as well as their rights in the democratic process,” he said.
''They know they hold the power in democracry and party members must really take note of this fact,'' Najib said.

tunku : when a party post guarantee a place in the government and as a potential candidate for election, it will make everyone want to fight for the post and this is where money politics becomes a tool to get the post. i guess for the future, the umno wings chief should not be in the cabinet.they can be member of parliament as they hold important post in the party but not as ministers or deputy ministers.they should concentrate more on the ground helping people rather being busy in the administration. for ketua bahagian,timbalan etc, only those with great potential should be selected not a must to make them as candidates for election. this will help the party get rid from all those greedy leaders. only those whoare sincere will go for the post as there isn't much rewards in those post.there is so much urgent reform shouldo be made in Umno asap.