JOHOR BARU, Oct 14 — Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin today urged party members to close ranks and fully support Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates for the upcoming 15th general election (GE15).

He reminded party members that every Umno division should take the time and opportunity of its meeting this weekend to plan the best strategy, voice constructive suggestions and provide criticism that can strengthen the party.

"Most importantly, increase commitment and enthusiasm to help the party. No matter who is nominated, both Umno and BN candidates must be supported with enthusiasm and determination.

"There is no individual greater than the party and there is no better party than Umno and BN in trying to bring stability and prosperity to Malaysia,” said Mohamed Khaled in a posting on his official Facebook page today.

He was commenting on this weekend’s nationwide Umno division meetings before GE15.

With the ruling coalition’s election theme of ‘Stability and Prosperity', Mohamed Khaled urged party members to cultivate the determination to work hard and give their best.

He said such values would lead Umno and BN to succeed and excel.

Meanwhile, Johor Umno chief Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad said BN’s election machinery preparation was the main key to victory for its Johor chapter.

"As the state BN election director, I have reviewed the preparations and coordination together with the coalition’s state operations director Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who is also the Johor Mentri Besar.

"Alhamdulillah, everything is at the most optimal level,” he said in a post on Facebook.

Hasni, the former Johor mentri besar, has been credited for BN’s landslide supermajority win in the state elections in March.

The Johor Umno chief was previously reported to have set a target of winning between 16 and 20 seats out of the 26 available federal constituencies in the southern state for GE15.

Parliament was dissolved on October 10, paving the way for a general election to be called within 60 days.

The Election Commission (EC) will meet on October 20 to decide the GE15 dates.