National leaders serve the people and must not confuse partisan politics with government affairs, a Selangor state executive councillor reminded party leaders today.

Iskandar Samad expressed worry that the rakyat will suffer as Umno leaders chase after party positions through any means in next month's Umno elections.

NONE "They must always act in the best interests of the people and not just look great just to get the attention of the delegates at the coming Umno assembly," said Iskandar ( left ), the PAS assemblyperson for Chempaka, said in a terse statement issued yesterday.

"People should not be victimised in any fight among Umno leaders to pursue positions in their party."

Umno started issuing nomination forms today to potential candidates for various positions in its supreme council and other leadership posts in the party in preparation for next month's election.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also the incumbent Umno president, appears to have slanted his recent policies towards Malay interests.

Besides lobbying for more government agencies and government-linked corporations to advertise in the party daily Utusan Malaysia , Najib today unveiled a raft of measures to prop up the bumiputera community.

The premier pointed out that the measures were a response to the strong Malay and bumiputera support in the last general election.