(Bernama) - Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called on Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) component party members to leave their comfort zones in order to prevent a repeat of the 2008 general election.

He said everyone should strengthen their parties to win voters’ support and work closely with BN components because the next general election promises to be “business as unusual”.   

“Some time ago, when Umno lacked support, BN partners helped by getting the support of Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups. Their votes enabled BN to win big at the last general election,” he told reporters after opening the Kuala Kangsar Umno delegates’ meeting, here today. 

In his speech, he also called on Umno members to put their faith in party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Perak Liaison chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir on the selection of candidates for the parliamentary and state assembly seats.   

Meanwhile, in Sungai Siput, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Defence Minister and Bagan Datoh member of parliament called on Umno and BN members to work hard to gain the support of the people if they did not want to remain under opposition rule.

Speaking at the closing of the Sungai Siput Umno delegates’ meeting, he added, “I urge Umno and BN to wrest the Sungai Siput parliamentary and Jalong state assembly seats.”