KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN), and UMNO in particular, has proven its strength in the recent Melaka and Johor state elections and needs to keep up the winning momentum ahead of the 15th General Election (GE15), say party members.

UMNO secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the party needed to take advantage of the weakened state of its opponents in determining the appropriate time for GE15.

"When the enemy is weak, that's when we should attack, and at present, we have witnessed success after success in Melaka and Johor. The Sarawak state election can also be considered a success because they (the state government) are our close friends.

"Now, we leave it up to the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) and the party president (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) to make the decision on the way forward," he told the media after the simultaneous opening of UMNO's Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings assemblies by Deputy President Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

Meanwhile, UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the most important thing now was to restore the people's confidence in the party to face the next election.

"(We should) restore the people's confidence in UMNO's struggle because this party is very large, and which focuses on national development policy," he said.

Zambry, who is also BN secretary-general said all party members should also come up with new and innovative changes in the party's struggle to face the next election and always learn from the shortcomings they had.

Another supreme council member Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said it was an honest and sincere message conveyed by Mohamad, especially with regard to the party's future direction after winning the Melaka and Johor state elections.

"It is not just about success in the two state elections, but wanting the party to continue working hard because UMNO is not yet safe. Do not be boastful or arrogant. That's the message," he said.

UMNO Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki concurred, adding that Mohamad's speech was in line with the aspirations of the grassroots raised at the branch and division level meetings before this.

Asyraf said most UMNO divisions wanted GE15 to be held because a stable country required a strong government.

-- BERNAMA