NAJIB'S WIN DESIRE OF UMNO GRASSROOTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- The uncontested win by Najib Razak as United Malays National Organisation (Umno) president is a manifestation of the party's grassroots' desire who want Umno and the government's administration as well as the economy to be strengthened, said Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal.

"This is a good sign that there is no contest at the apex leadership and
there is no split. We were worried there would be others contesting but there
was only one (Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah who offered to contest). Umno is the
political party leading the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

"We know of his (Najib's) vast and varied experience in state and federal
administration and as Umno Youth chief over 23 years and this mix will
strengthen his leadership in the future," Shafie told reporters at the 2008
Malaysia Deepavali Open House here Sunday.

Najib won uncontested after he secured his 134th nomination Sunday.

With that number, no other candidate can get the minimum of 58 needed to
contest the top post in the party.

Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) president S Samy Vellu said the uncontested
win by the deputy prime minister reflected his popularity.
"This gives him the chance to develop the country and strengthen unity. The
MIC will always cooperate with him," he said. MIC is one of the BN component
parties.