KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 8): Umno Information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan said he and several other party leaders are holding dialogues and have gone down to the grassroot levels in seven states since last week, to clear the air and address issues that have cast a shadow on the party's unity.

The dialogue with the grassroots included Ahmad Maslan and at least two other party vice-presidents Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein started since Monday, and is just a week shy of the Umno Supreme Council meeting that is to be held tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept 9).

"We decided to go down to the grassroots, because Umno cannot be crushed from outside (forces), but the party can be crushed from within.

"Which is why we must work to strengthen Umno's grassroots by meeting them face to face and address issues at hand and give accurate information instead of letting them resort to social media that can be inaccurate," he cautioned the party. He said this today, when asked if the dissatisfaction in Umno over several issues were under control.

He added that he has so far visited seven states and 17 party divisions in Kedah, Malacca, Terengganu, Johor, Kelantan, Sabah and Selangor, because it was important to address all the lies and falsehoods being spread over social media.

Ahmad Maslan said although most of the division leaders and grassroots members "did not mind much" about the issues at hand, but there are those who have expressed concerns, especially factions at leadership levels working against the party.

He also expressed confidence that the Supreme Council meeting should go smoothly and that he expects the Sacked Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to show up.

Among the issues brought up that were hotly debated at the divisions, included "Bersih 4", the debt of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), plans to oust party president and Datuk Seri Najib Razak as prime minister through a vote of no-confidence in Parliament, the RM2.6 billion alleged scandal involving Najib and issues raised up by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Ahmad Maslan, who is also International Trade and Industry (MITI) deputy minister, said the dialogue organised by the party was meant to remind division leaders and grassroot members to be loyal and united towards the party.

He said this, after officiating the workshop on overview to Singapore's Economy Strategy Development from Independence to today.

Also present was Singapore Cooperation Enterprise CEO Kong Wy Mun and Temasek Foundation CEO Benedict Cheong.

The workshop is an 8-month programme for officers from MITI and agencies from both countries.