MUAR, Oct 12 — Candidates who fail to get elected in the Umno polls are reminded to not destroy the party, but to support those who are elected to ensure the party remains strong to face challenges.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said an election was a normal process in a democratic practice, hence candidates who lost should not give up as they could continue to serve the party.

“Don’t think of your own interest, if not elected. Don’t be disappointed and regard your loss as the end of the road.

“I, myself, had been through the process of winning and losing. There were times, I received big support and there were times I lost, but I got up and party members assessed and chose me again until where I am now.

“The important thing is not to give up but to continue to support the elected candidates because they have obtained more votes. You should help them so that the party becomes stronger.”

He told this to reporters after handing over 205 heads of cattle for the Aidiladha sacrifice to 102 Umno branches in the Pagoh parliamentary constituency, and government departments in Muar and Ledang at Kompleks Pekembar in Pagoh, here, today.

He said the party election was not a power struggle, but a process where members offered themselves to be chosen by the delegates to be leaders in the party.

“The important thing is whatever the process, we have to ensure the party is not tarnished, Umno is not weak. Ultimately, what we do will give added value to the party’s strength and when we do something, we have to think whether it brings benefit to the party or not.”

He said the results of this year’s party polls were important for the party’s survival and especially in facing the 14th general election.

Muhyiddin said this year’s party polls also showed that Umno was going through a transformation process that was transparent and also a process of rejuvenating the party by giving room for more candidates to offer themselves for party posts.

He said through this new format, whoever was interested to serve the party could offer himself or herself.

“Through this method, many young talents who are capable not only in politics but also in other fields, can be brought to the fore,” he added.

Meanwhile, on the shortage of ballot papers in some divisions, like Tangga Batu and Bukit Katil, Muhyiddin said the problem was expected as this was the first time the party was implementing the system.

“They can contact the election secretariat. I leave it to the wisdom of the affected divisional and election committees to decide on the matter,” he added. — Bernama