UNITED WE STAND: Dr Rundi (third left), Lunsa (third right), Mooney (left) and others in the cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate the fun raising event.
SERIAN: All state BN component parties must go to the ground, register more members as voters, and start listening to the youths in order to ward off a “strong” opposition in the next general election.
In making the call on Saturday, state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom stressed that “no stones must be left unturned” as the opposition was determined to unseat the state BN in the 13th general election as the state was rich in natural resources.
On the importance of registering members as voters, Dr Rundi, who is also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications) Minister, used what had transpired at the Batu Kawah constituency in the last state election as an example.
He told those present that Tan Joo Phoi of SUPP lost his stronghold to DAP greenhorn Christina Chiew by a mere 543 majority mainly because the opposition had registered some 3,800 new voters before the polls.
“There are 258,633 PBB members in the state and I still consider this not enough. A total of 63,628 members have not registered to vote yet. Of this, 60 per cent are now eligible (to vote) … and we must find them.
“Only when we have registered all our members then we will know who is with us and who is not. If we did our homework properly, we could have won Batu Kawah,” said Dr Rundi at a fund-raising dinner organised by PBB Balai Ringin here.
He added that the number of men and women nationwide was fast approaching the 50-50 ratio, and everybody counts – especially the youths.
“Youth do not vote for the BN. Why? Maybe it’s because some leaders are not listening to the youths? These leaders mustn’t forget that most youths are graduates now and they can think better and are very knowledgeable.
“If BN leaders are not listening end, these youths will find other platforms that can meet their political understandings and ideologies,” he cautioned.
Dr Rundi also pointed out that the political scenario had changed significantly nationwide and the opposition had grown in strength. Hence, all BN members must come together to defend the BN fortress.
“Don’t be fussy, support all BN candidates. There is no reason for anybody to be suspicious of anybody,” he said
Dr Rundi also urged Wanita PBB and the Youth wing to ‘stand up and be counted’ in the 13th general election to ensure a 100 per cent victory for PBB and the state BN.
Among the 500 strong guests present were PBB Balai Ringin chairman Harrison Lunsa and deputy chairman Peter Mooney Linggau, who is also the event’s organising chairman.