ABDULLAH SHOULD BE GIVEN A "ROLE" IN PARTY AFTER HANDING OVER OF POWER

KOTA KINABALU (Malaysia), Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Former Chief Minister of East
Malaysia state of Sabah, Salleh Said Keruak, has proposed that United Malays
National Organisation (Umno) president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi be given a "role"
in the party once he hands over power to his designated successor, Najib Razak,
in March next year.

He said Abdullah was a leader with vast experience, consistent and
farsighted in his endeavour to bring the country to greater heights including
the implementation of the Sabah Development Corridor, Malaysia's fourth mega
development project to boost economy, blueprint.

"Although he was attacked left and right, Pak Lah (Abdullah) stays 'cool'
and this is actually one of the attributes of a great leader.

"We must learn from experience -- not to sideline past presidents of the
party (Umno) to ensure continuity...stability and support for the party as the
backbone of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government," he told Bernama, here
Tuesday.

Salleh, a former three-term Umno Supreme Council member, said this had been
done in other countries to enable past leaders to contribute ideas for the
betterment of their respective political parties. Umno is the political party
heading the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.

"We must not forget that Pak Lah (Abdullah), as the Prime Minister, has led
Umno and BN to secure two consecutive victories in the last two general
elections.

"Of course the political scenario in the 2004 election was different from
the recent general election but yet BN, under the able leadership of Pak Lah,
won the March 2008 election," he said.

Salleh said Umno needed to be restructured to accommodate past presidents
of Umno to play a role in the party.

"I believe Pak Lah (Abdullah) is not retiring yet from politics because he
is still the northern Kepala Batas Umno divisional chief and member of Parliment
for this constituency," he said adding Abdullah's vast political experience
should not go to waste.

He said Abdullah's successor, Najib, was the right choice to continue his
development agenda for the country.

In this respect, Salleh hoped the people and Umno members would give
undivided support to Najib as Abdullah's handpicked or chosen successor.
-- BERNAMA