UMNO leaders at all levels must have winning mentality - Zahid

Ahmad Zahid, who is an UMNO vice-president discharging the duties of the deputy president, also said that coupled with the winning mentality, they must also work hard continuously to achieve outstanding victory.

"We need to have the winning mentality in all of us at the divisional, branch and grassroots levels. We have to work hard first and pray to God (for victory). This is not rhetoric, but there must a continuous effort.

"External forces are trying to deny us victory. We may feel disheartened by various issues raised by these forces to deny our efforts (to win the general election).

"Only our hard work can ensure that BN and UMNO will continue to rule the country, and also Terengganu," he said when opening the Kuala Nerus UMNO Division delegates meeting at the Gong Badak Indoor Stadium here.

Also present were Terengganu Menteri Besar and State UMNO Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman, Higher Education Minister and Besut MP Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh and Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister and Hulu Terengganu MP Datuk Seri Jailani Johari.

Ahmad Zahid said the competence of a party came from within and it was strengthened from the success achieved from time to time and not at the blink of an eye.

“UMNO is a party with resilience that is strengthened from time to time, like a marathon runner who starts out slowly but gets to the finish line eventually. That’s why political parties like UMNO have a good track record; there is a need for stamina to get us going until the finish line,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said that to ensure that UMNO reached the finish line, every member should not forget to win over the hearts and minds of the people.

“To remain as the leader, we have to look into the welfare of the people. As such, the candidates for the next general election will have to be determined by the grassroots. The candidate should not be the one to decide to contest or lobby the party leadership for selection.

“Party leaders should also endear themselves to the party veterans because the latter had much experience gained from their long association with the party,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid also announced the federal government approval of RM3.8 million for the construction of a mosque at the Seberang Takir Army Camp and RM500,000 to provide a football field in Tepoh.