KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Bernama) — The Umno Supreme Council meeting Friday decided to hold an election dry run in the middle of this year in preparation for the next general election.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said all party leaders would go to the ground to monitor the mock election.

“The dry run is scheduled to be held in the middle of this year. It’ll be an ongoing process as we prepare for the 13th general election,” he told reporters after chairing the meeting here.

However, he did not indicate the date of the proposed mock election.

Meanwhile, Najib, who is Umno president, stressed that Umno leaders should give priority to safeguarding people’s interest rather than be overly concerned with securing party posts.

“Our main objective now is to gain the people’s trust, as the ultimate yardstick of a parliamentary democracy system is winning a general election and forming a government.

“The number of members in a branch or division is meaningless unless we’re able to form a government by winning an election,” said Najib.

To a question, he said that Umno leaders at all levels had taken steps to be close to the people by going to the ground to meet them.

“Somehow, me and my deputy’s (Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) walkabouts and visits tend to become a formal affair. The truth is, Umno leaders at all levels in the states are also going to the ground,” he said.

He also said that to date, 90 Umno divisions as well as the party’s 134 Wanita, 135 Youth and 152 Puteri wings had conducted their annual delegates’ meetings.

Meanwhile, Najib said Friday’s meeting also decided to revoke the suspension imposed on three Umno members three years ago.

They are Bandar Tun Razak Wanita chief Salmah Pin, Bukit Katil Umno committee member Saadon Basiron and Bukit Katil Puteri vice-chief Zarina Ismail.

The meeting also decided to appoint former Perak menteri besar Tan Sri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali as Umno Supreme Council election committee chairman for 2011-2013.

Source : Bernama