KUALA LUMPUR: All Barisan Nasional component parties must put aside their internal problems to enable the coalition to form a strong government in the 15th General Election (GE15), says coalition chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

       He said he was confident that once the internal issues were ironed out, Barisan would be able to win big in GE15.

       “Put aside inter-party problems (in Barisan) as well as our differences and bring other friends (Barisan-friendly parties) together to win GE15,” Bernama quoted him as saying at the opening of MIC’s 75th annual general assembly meeting yesterday.

       Also present were Barisan treasurer-general Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and former MIC president Tun S. Samy Vellu.

       Ahmad Zahid said the people wanted a strong and stable government, and that only Barisan had a proven and outstanding track record in developing the country.

       He assured MIC that the party’s traditional seat would not be contested by any Barisan-friendly party in the next general election.

       The Umno president also reminded all component parties not to be complacent following Barisan’s victory in last month’s Melaka election.

       He said Barisan’s landslide victory in the state polls showed that the people wanted the coalition to return to power in GE15.