Kelantan Umno plans to hold an election dry run in September, said state Umno liaison committee chairperson Mustapa Mohamed.

He said it (dry run) was to further strengthen the party machinery ahead of the next general election.

"The preparations of the three wings of Umno in Kelantan is still unsatisfactory, hence the need for the dry run," he told the media here today.

Mustapa, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, said the simulation was a follow-up to the directive by party headquarters after Umno's Supreme council on May 27 decided that mock runs must be held in preparing for the general election.

Deploring actions of certain quarters which carried out their programmes in a lackadaisical manner, Mustapa said this must change to ensure the Kelantan BN election machinery was strong to face the general election, which was expected 'at any time.'

Brainstorming sessions

Meanwhile, about 1,000 Umno members from 13 divisions in Kelantan are brainstorming for solutions on the state development.

Kelantan Umno liaison committee deputy chairman Dr Awang Adek Hussin said the discussion was being held from noon till midnight during Ramadan.

He said the panel members were made up of Kelantan Umno chief Mustapa, Special Affairs Department director-general Fuad Hassan and himself.

The discussion was also attended by intellectuals and corporate leaders from Kelantan, he told reporters after chairing the Bachok Umno division committee meeting today.

Awang Adek, who is also deputy finance minister, hoped constructive ideas generated from the discussion would be incorporated in the Barisan Nasional manifesto for the 13th general election.

He called on every Umno division to raise funds for the needy to help them tide over difficulties during the festive season by getting private companies to dish out property tithe.

- Bernama