Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein said all parties, especially BN, had to win back the hearts of the voters.
“We should not take for granted what we have. We must approach the voters outside the (voting) hall.
“Our vision is to see our campaign as being a healthy one, and not do things which could lead to hatred and division,” he told reporters after attending a meet-and-greet session in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration in Skudai here today.
Present were Gelang Patah MCA chairman Jason Teoh Sew Hock and Gelang Patah Umno division chief Mohammad Khairi A Malik.
Hishammuddin, who is also defence minister and special functions minister, said it was not easy to face the challenges since GE13, but the testing situation had strengthened all parties to rise up together to reclaim the Gelang Patah seat.
“When we enter the new year (Chinese New Year), we have only two options, that is whether we want to rise or surrender. If we really want to play politics, then this is the time,” he said.
The Sembrong MP added he was also impressed with the “Gagasan Johor Berkemajuan” development philosophy and “New Decade of Johor” development plan introduced by Johor Menteri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
“This is a never-ending struggle (to pursue development), and requires the support of all the people of Johor. It also requires political unity.”
Asked by reporters whether Teoh was a suitable candidate for BN to recapture the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat, Hishammuddin said it was up to the MCA leadership, and the final decision rested with the prime minister.
He said the most important thing for BN was to field a candidate who was accepted by the people.