UMNO president Najib Razak yesterday delivered a sobering message to the party grassroots in a closed door briefing in which he highlighted what was at stake for the country’s largest party in what he said was its most critical general election.

Najib impressed upon the party division heads – the middle ranking leaders running the electoral machinery – that there was zero room for error in the 14th general election, which many speculate could be held early next year.

It is learnt that during the briefing, Najib wanted the divisions to back the party’s choice of candidates in GE14, regardless of whether the divisions liked the candidates or not.

Najib’s message comes as warlords in the party’s 191 divisions begin jockeying for support in the party’s internal elections which is slated to take place after GE14.

Najib and the top leadership are worried that party polls could derail efforts to mount a unified party machinery in GE14.

In the past, division officials upset at not being chosen as candidates had hamstrung the party’s own election machinery.

It was a problem in Selangor Umno during the 13th general election, where disgruntled division leaders sabotaged the party campaign.

“The president told us that the most important election is the general election. Forget the party election for now,” said one Selangor Umno leader.

“It’s a warning to those who are already campaigning for party posts,” said the leader on condition of anonymity.

Umno faces a reinvigorated opposition coalition that includes two of its most influential former leaders, Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin.

The two have formed splinter party Bersatu which as been actively campaigning for the Pakatan Harapan coalition among rural Malay voters, who are Umno’s core support base.

PH is tapping into the anger among the Malay working class and rural voters towards the government over what is seen as runaway inflation, stagnant wages and unaffordable homes.

Umno contributes 87 of the 132 parliamentary seats held by the ruling Barisan Nasional which it leads. About 30 of BN’s parliamentary seats were won with slim margins of below 2,000 votes.

A Perak division delegate said although the majority in Umno understand the stakes in GE14, there is still a significant number who care only for their personal interests.

“We can’t deny there are a few bad apples in Umno. But what is important is that the bad apples do not affect the rest.”

That the party’s choice of candidates could cause friction is a fact acknowledged by senior leaders such as supreme council member Azalina Othman Said.

“(The president) is saying that we have to compromise over who is chosen. It’s  a signal that there will be a lot of new faces but I believe that this is a development that we have to accept.”

Party information chief Annuar Musa said Najib’s message was a reminder to grassroots officials to close ranks and not to be complacent in the campaign for GE14.

“He wants us to work hard together. It was a well-received message. – December 6, 2017.