Eastern Region News August 04, 2007 22:21 PM General Election Comes First, Says Muhyiddin BESUT, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- Umno leaders and members contemplating contesting party posts should put aside the intention and instead devote their energy to prepare for the upcoming general election, said Umno vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. He said what was more important now was for the party to activate its election machinery to ensure a big victory for the Barisan Nasional (BN). "If you have the intention to contest party posts, put it off first. What is important now is to focus on the party's preparation for the election," he said when opening the Besut Umno divisional delegates conference here today. Also present were Terengganu Menteri Besar and Besut Umno chief Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin, who is also Besut Umno deputy chief. Muhyiddin, who is also Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, added that now was not the right time to dabble on party posts and that strengthening party unity was more important. In KUALA LUMPUR, Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib said Umno members should pay close attention to strengthening the election machinery instead of thinking about the party's election. "Let us concentrate to fortify our election machinery as the general election will determine everything," he told reporters after opening Seputeh Umno's Puteri delegates conference. He said that after the BN was returned to power, they could deliberate on the party election. -- BERNAMA