Hishammuddin makes impassioned call to Umno members to safeguard party

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein today made a fervent call to leaders and members to safeguard the party.
Quoting a poem titled Korban Jebat by Zurinah Hassan, he likened it to the challenges faced by Umno today.
He said in the story between the two warriors, Hang Tuah was at a crossroads to either sacrifice his friend or remain loyal to the Sultan.
Hang Tuah had instead defended the government which the Sultan was leading.
"Just like Hang Tuah's story, our party is more important than an individual's agenda," he said in an opening remark at Umno's Segambut division here today.
He also noted Segambut division chief Datuk Kamarudin Ambok's appeal for a good candidate to face the upcoming 14th general election, saying that it will be brought up to the top party's leadership.
He added that since most information and incidents are known first in the Federal Territories, the Segambut division will be prioritised.
In a press conference later, Hishammuddin as the Defence Minister, said the recent bombings in Thailand will be discussed with his counterpart soon.
"Through the National Security Council's own intelligence, 'soft targets' such as dams have been identified. The efforts and bilateral ties between the Malaysia and Thailand has been long," he said.
He added that budget constraints has forced them to think beyond and work together with other Asean countries that are acts or terror.