Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today reminded party members that the upcoming 13th general election will determine Umno and Barisan Nasional's (BN) survival.

He also reminded them to learn from the experience of losing (five states) in the 2008 general election and not to repeat those actions that caused the loss.

"I don't want to see any more politics of playing one against another and no more factions in the party... don't want any more sulking and back-stabbing in the election campaign.

"If members of all the parties support the candidates chosen, it will be impossible for us to lose in the elections," he said when simultaneously opening the delegates meetings of six Umno divisions in south Kedah at the Rakan Muda Complex in Baling.

Also present were the prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor, Kedah Umno liaison chief Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, his deputy Mukhriz Mahathir, Baling Umno division head Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and its Wanita chief Mashitah Ibrahim.

The other five division chiefs present were Tajuddin Abdullah (Sik), Tajul Urus Mohd Zain (Merbok), Ali Yahya (Sungai Petani) and Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir (Kulim-Bandar Baru), and acting chief Abdul Halim Saad (Padang Serai).

The prime minister said as an experienced and mature party, Umno should be able to resolve all its problems.

"It's already four years (since the last general election)... there should be no more problems, no more finger pointing... enough is enough.

"Time to close ranks. Too much has already been said, until we're foaming at the mouth.

"If we love the party, we have to accept (the decisions) with resignation. If chosen (as candidates), we say alhamdulillah (praise to God). If not chosen, we also say alhamdulillah .

"If that is the attitude, it means we are mature," added Najib, who is also Umno president.

"When I say the party wants winnable candidates, all (aspirants) will claim they are winnable candidates but actually, only half of them can win."

Umno still relevant

Najib said although there were ups and downs in politics, Umno was still a relevant party and would live long.

"Learn from your success but the most effective lesson is failure. It is easy to make promises but difficult to fulfil," said Najib, adding that members must love the party unconditionally.

"I have been long (in the party). When I 'salam', I can read the person's feelings and in a tight grasp, I can read even more. All our election candidates must pass the test," he said.

Najib said there were signs of public support returning to Umno as the government's various policies and programmes that were inclusive to assist the people, such as the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M), were much appreciated by the people.

"We understand the needs and demands of the people, unlike the opposition which has chosen to raise the hudud issue close to the general election.

"We have built thousands of mosques, but PAS has built only two while ruling Kelantan for 22 years."

He said Umno would continue to stuggle for Islam and work at enhancing its civilisation.

"Insya Allah (God willing), we place the right people, qualified and trustworthy. There is no wedge between the ulama and national leaders so that Islam will continue to flourish," he added.

On the general election in Kedah, Najib said south Kedah was the pillar for BN to wrest back the state from the opposition, but other divisions were equally important.

At the end of his speech, Najib said in jest that he had the urge to dissolve Parliament but added, "let me see first."

The prime minister and his wife than made time to attend a Hari Raya gathering with Baling folk before leaving for Alor Setar for another Hari Raya do with the people at the grounds of Darul Aman Stadium.

- Bernama