Johari: Set aside grouses, focus on winning Melaka

MELAKA: Barisan Nasional (BN) election machinery must remain united and respect the party leadership's decisions on candidate selection to secure victory in the Melaka election.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said party members should set aside any dissatisfaction over the choices and focus on winning seats for the coalition.

The Investment, Trade and Industry Minister warned that failure by grassroots members and election machinery to accept the decisions could undermine BN's chances at the polls.

"Defeats often happen when our party machinery cannot accept decisions that have been made.

"We do not want members becoming dissatisfied because their preferred candidates were not selected.

"What matters most is that we have appointed BN and Umno candidates to carry out their responsibilities," he said after attending a briefing with the Ayer Molek and Pengkalan Batu BN election machinery.

Also present were BN candidates Datuk Mohd Ridhwan Mohd Ali (Ayer Molek) and Siti Aisyah Mahmood (Pengkalan Batu).

Johari was responding to claims that some party members were planning to boycott candidates following disagreements over their selection.

Media reports had previously highlighted dissatisfaction over BN's candidate choices in four constituencies: Kuala Linggi, Pantai Kundor, Klebang and Ayer Molek.

On Nov 5, Melaka BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the alleged rejection of candidates in the four seats could have been fuelled by political opponents seeking to create a negative perception of the coalition ahead of polling day.

He said BN remained focused on winning and was confident that internal disagreements could be resolved amicably.

Johari said such situations were common during elections but would eventually subside if most party members maintained a positive attitude.

"This happens in every election. What matters is that the majority of our members and election machinery remain positive. These issues will usually die down," he said.

He expressed confidence that BN's machinery in both constituencies remained united and committed to securing victory.

Johari said the candidates had been selected based on their backgrounds, potential and commitment to serving their communities.

"We regard these individuals as potential future leaders. If we do not give them opportunities, it will be difficult to develop the next generation of leaders.

"Both candidates have good backgrounds and have demonstrated a strong commitment to their communities. That is why we must support them," he said.

Johari urged BN campaigners to intensify voter outreach in the final stretch of the campaign, including meeting voters personally and contacting them or their family members by telephone where necessary.