PETALING JAYA: Umno members should close ranks and allow the party to be steered by its leaders because the fate of Perikatan Nasional and a functioning government lies in the party's hands, says Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (pic).

       He urged Umno members to allow the president and supreme council to lead the party forward and urged other leaders not to prioritise their personal aspirations.

       “Everything outside this institution (of the president and supreme council) does not represent the interests of the party,” he said in a Facebook post on Friday (June 25).

       Mohamed Khaled acknowledged that Umno has its own problems, because some leaders had ambitions only for themselves and not for the nation, party, Malays and Islam.

       "This is the problem that will bring down Umno if it's not addressed.

       "Sometimes there are too many overlaps, which leads to members and the people being confused as to what Umno is actually fighting for," he said.

       He added that for Umno to survive, the party must be firm in its decisions.

       Mohamed Khaled said any disagreements with particular individuals in the party leadership should be kept private and members should maintain discipline.

       "Those elected are the true representatives of the party and we place our confidence in them.

       "Without discipline, the party will be a mockery. Without unity, Umno will face its downfall," he said.