UMNO WILL NOT BE SUCCESSFUL IF LEADERS ARE NOT SINCERE IN THEIR STRUGGLE

KEPALA BATAS (Malaysia), Nov 10 (Bernama) -- United Malays National Organisation (Umno) will not be successful in its struggle if the leaders are not sincere and lacked leadership calibre and integrity, Umno President Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

He said Umno would not achieve progress or able to face challenges if the
leaders' integrity was suspect, or if they had weak personality and lack
directions in leading the party.

"What we need is a leadership that is responsible and able to steer and
manage the party to make it stronger and successful," he said when opening the
Kepala Batas Umno division delegates' meeting in this northern constituency
Sunday.

Towards this end, the prime minister, who won the division chief post
unopposed, called on party members to choose their leaders wisely and not just
electing them for the sake of filling up party posts.

Abdullah said the elections were important to elect leaders who were able
to
spur the party to face the coming general election.

"The elections are not just for the candidates' or their supporters'
personal victories... what Umno is looking for is a victory for the party as a
whole," he said.

He said the delegates had huge responsibilities in ensuring that they voted
in candidates who had the leadership calibre needed by the party.

"If we can do this, then all will be well. If Umno is in good shape,
Malaysians will also be in good shape because Umno's struggle is for
Malaysians," he said.

He also hoped that there would be no more incidence of money politics or
bickering among candidates or other activities detrimental to the party in the
run up to the party's polls in March.

"We must keep in our minds the objectives of the party and continue to
strengthen them," he said.

Umno is the political party leading the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.