Umno election: Mahdzir tells candidates not to sulk if lose

KUALA NERANG - Umno vice president candidates who lose at the election today are advised to go back as a team and continue with the party's struggles, especially in facing the upcoming state polls.

Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, incumbent Umno vice president advised those who didn't secure a win not to sulk and leave Umno for another party.

Umno elections are a healthy competition among a big family to celebrate democracy within the party. It is not to divide the harmony of the party.

"To the leaders who are contesting today, I congratulate those who won. For those who didn't, they should continue their struggles for the party.

"Let's not sulk, run away, or go to another party. We must continue the struggle together; Insya-Allah, the party can last and will have a future," he said when met at the Padang Terap Umno Division General Meeting here in Naka on Saturday.

Mahdzir was among eight candidates contesting for the Umno vice president post alongside Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Other candidates include Law Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Kepala Batas MP Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, and Umno Supreme Council Member Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

Also contesting were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, former Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad and Mohd Yusof Musa@Jamaludin representing Iskandar Puteri Umno members.

Commenting on the views of analysts who saw Johari, Khaled and Azalina as those with potential in this heated competition, Mahdzir said it is a competition custom.

"All candidates have submitted their ideas and views in regards to the direction they want to lead Umno. Now it's left to the 190,000 representatives throughout the country to decide.

"As a party member who has given time towards the party's struggles, I will continue to be in this path and continue to assist the party.We must lift our spirits to strengthen the party.

Mahdzir said members at all levels must return as one after the election to further empower each division for the state elections expected to be held in June or July.

"Surely there will be winners and losers in any democratic election system. Assume those who won did not win it all and those who lost did not lose it all.

"It would be better if we looked towards strengthening each division and gathered the strength within the party to face the state elections," he explained.

He added that the Umno movement would be much more concrete after the election, which he described as the time to recharge the Umno spirit.

"The last election was in 2018, this election will be a 'recharge' for the party. A combination of new and old leaders will combine to form a positive and dynamic team to continue our plans for the party," he said.