Umno needs more leaders and prospective leaders who are likeable and adaptable so that they can suit themselves to the environment and the people to ensure the party's victory in the next general election.
Party president Najib Abdul Razak said it was important for the people to have leaders who could help the rakyat at all times, particularly when they were facing disasters.
"How to be likeable? We have to provide service to the people no matter what the situation is.
"If Umno succeeds in promoting leaders and prospective leaders who have these qualities, our probability of winning will be higher," he said.
Najib said this when opening the Temerloh Umno delegates meeting and the Jamuan Rakyat at Dataran Bahaman, Lanchang today.
Also present were Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob ( photo ), who is also Pahang Umno liaison chairperson, and his deputy Sharkar Shamsuddin, who is also Temerloh Umno division head.
Earlier, the prime minister was greeted on arrival by more than 5,000 people including the leadership of the Temerloh Umno division and party members.
Najib said when Umno had many leaders with such qualities, it would be easier for the party leadership to promote them at the next general election and they would not need any 'resume' for selection as election candidates.
"A leader must be approachable and someone who can be taken anywhere... like me, I have no problem in addressing the United Nations meeting together with US president Barack Obama.
"At the same time, I don't feel uncomfortable when I sit down with the rakyat at the surau in the villages," he said.
At the same time, Najib called on party members to practise the '5S' concept to strengthen UMNO namely 'setia' (loyalty), 'service', 'santun' (courteous), 'semangat' (spirit), and 'solidarity'.
He said as the party was now facing serious challenges from the opposition, Umno leaders must continue to demonstrate their loyalty to and solidarity with the party and possess a strong spirit to go all out to face opposition from the enemy.
"Umno leaders must always be inspired, do not be weak when attacked by the opposition whether from the left or right, the fight must go on. There must also be loyalty because it is the basis for any struggle...if a leader is smart but lacks loyalty, and there are leaders who are less intelligent but are loyal, I will choose leaders who are loyal to the party," he said.
Najib said that courtesy in the party must also be preserved to ensure solidarity among party members remained strong and the image of the party was not tainted.
"What is important is that our struggle is with Umno, if there is courtesy, then we will be safe (in Umno)," he added.
- Bernama
