‘Umno must counter Opposition lies with facts’
SHAH ALAM: Umno must counter the lies spread about the party by the Opposition with sound arguments based on facts, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Opposition's "spinning", he added, had made it look as though Umno was on the wrong path and too defensive.Najib, who is also party president, was speaking at a press conference after chairing the Selangor Umno liaison committee's first meeting since he took over as chairman.

He said the role of state Umno leaders and the methods used to serve the people would be re-examined to increase the party's efficacy."The needs of the people will be given top priority, with an increase of community-based programmes at all levels."

I believe this can increase the people's confidence in Umno and Barisan Nasional." said Najib.He reiterated that priority must be given to strengthening ties with the people.He said guidelines had been given to the state leaders on what had to be done.

Najib also announced that Datuk Mohd Satim Diman, Datuk Fateh Iskandar Mohamed Mansor and Abdul Shukor Idrus have been appointed as the committee's secretary, treasurer and information chief respectively.Former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has been appointed the committee's think-tank chief.Meanwhile, Dr Mohd Khir said Umno was looking for a formula that would be accepted by all races.

"We must remember that in Malaysia, we must take care of all the races. If we fail to do so, Barisan Nasional may be rejected one day," he said, adding that think-tanks would also be set-up among the Chinese and Indian community representatives.