Umno leaders and members must respond swiftly to issues raised by their detractors to avoid such issues becoming “a severe cancer that could bring us down”, party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.
Zahid said that if such issues are not addressed in a timely manner, they could go viral and affect public perception, regardless of their validity.
“Even if these are repeated or fabricated issues without basis, if left unaddressed, they will become a severe cancer that could bring us down,” he said after visiting the Arau Umno division today.
He acknowledged that the party must accept the reality that it has been ineffective in managing issues, thus allowing other parties to win more seats in elections by manipulating public sentiment.
“There are parties that instil cult-like loyalty among their followers. Though their membership is smaller than ours, they secure more seats than we do,” he said.
Zahid called on Umno leaders at all levels to deal with arising issues promptly and effectively. At the same time, the party leadership and the members must protect internal unity and party strength, even if faced with differing views and opinions, he said.
