Muhyiddin: BN must think like the opposition..

By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin told the Barisan Nasional (BN) to act like the opposition and recapture the states it lost in Election 2008.
The deputy prime minister stressed that BN members must be proactive and be willing to make sacrifices.
“You must take affirmative steps because they are the steps taken by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to tarnish our image. They spread lies through the Internet which have influenced many and caused them to lose their trust in us,” he told delegates at the Lembah Pantai Umno division meeting.
Muhyiddin (picture) pointed out that BN and Umno had leaders comparable to those in PR who are now making a name for themselves after it won four states and 82 federal seats in the March 2008 elections.“What is so special about Nurul Izzah? What does she have that Datuk Raja Nong Chik doesn’t?
“We must be like the opposition. If you think you are the government then you act like the government. If you think opposition then you are willing to make sacrifices and face the challenge,” he said.
Muhyiddin stressed that BN must return to the grassroots and convince the voters.
“It is time for us to go to the grassroots to face the problem and challenge them. We must take the upper position, be upfront and not behind. So that the people will know that we are willing to take the challenge and convince them. This we have to do because time is not always on our side.
“Historically, Lembah Pantai is ours. We are only lending it to them now. We want it back but it is not easy. It will be difficult but the rakyat wants to see if you are really sincere,” he said.
He also said Umno delegates must ensure that BN is not an option but a must for the country’s electorate.
Muhyiddin stressed that BN must prove to the public that it will and continue to be relevant.
“What we must ensure in facing the coming general election is to show to the rakyat that Barisan Nasional is a viable party.
 “We want our party to be more viable compared to Pakatan Rakyat. We have been tested numerous times. The voters would not have voted for us if there weren’t any truths in our policies. If they did not believe in BN, then they would not have voted for us,” he said.
The DPM said the major problem affecting BN was not its policies but public perception towards the ruling coalition.
“There is a perception that Barisan Nasional’s policies are not suitable with the current situation. Perception is very important in politics. Why is there the perception that Umno is not like before? Umno is not what it used to be. That Umno is no longer fighting for Malay issues and BN is no longer united,” he said.
Muhyiddin added that Umno must defend and challenge those who question BN’s policies.
“We must protect BN’s policies because people are beginning to challenge them. They accuse us of not serving minorities.
“Because of that we are faced with the question of perception. The voter’s judgment will be influenced and will not vote for us. They do not want equality to be said but be seen and implemented,” he said.
He also pointed that BN was not a racist party.
“We are not a racial party, but we represent different races. Our policies are not discriminatory but we consider the interests of all races.
“Pakatan Rakyat accused us of not distributing the economic cake fairly but BN wants to bring development to all races. However, some races are faster than others, that is why we treat each race differently,” he added.