PM WON'T BETRAY PARTY

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
said Thursday that he would not betray and steer clear from those who seek to
destroy the party as he was exposed to its struggle during his formative years.

The United Malays National Organisation (Umno) President said even though
there was a time when he was insulted by certain members of Umno, he had never
made offensive remarks about the party, and certainly, had never deserted it.

Abdullah, 69, was appointed the fifth Prime Minister on Oct 31, 2003, said
indeed, one's loyalty was truly tested when the party was faced with grave
challenges, during a time of difficulty and when one had no position or standing
within the party.

"I have held fast to an unflagging conviction that has prevented me from
ever betraying UMNO and has led me to steer clear from those who seek to destroy
it," he said in his keynote address themed "The Future and Survival of the
Party" at the Umno General Assembly 2008 at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC)
here. Umno is the dominant party in Malaysia's ruling National Front, and has
been in power since independence in 1957.

Abdullah said he first came to know of the party as a seven year old boy as
his family members were actively involved in the founding of Umno where his
grandfather, Abdullah Fahim and his father, Ahmad Badawi, who were religious
leaders, had given him the opportunity to embrace the party's struggle.

"I am descended from founding fathers of UMNO and I was exposed to the
party's struggle during my formative years.

"I later chose to join UMNO, because I believed in the purity of its
objectives and the worthiness of its cause, and I have pledged my unbroken
loyalty to its struggle because it has been my clear and unshakable conviction
that Umno's mission is noble and genuine," he said.

He said despite any negative perceptions and opinions on Umno today, no one
can deny that it had made countless contributions to the country and its
citizens since its formation in 1946, including Islam and the Malay
civilisation, politics and peace, as well as in the socio-economic arena.

He said he had witnessed the struggles of his grandfather and family
members, who have fought for Umno's cause, and saw the party's strength was
forged and made potent by unsung heroes, anonymous and without rank in the
party.

"These are people who have never offered to contest for any position in the
party's Supreme Council, who have never asked to take but instead kept on
giving, who did not see Umno as a means to satisfy their self interest or
personal gain.

"They are the true heroes of Umno. They are the ones who have supported and
upheld the party.

"They are the heroes who have kept faith in Umno's commitment and resolve in
protecting the Malays fighting for the independence of the nation, upholding
Islam, defending the sovereignty of the Malay Rulers and maintaining the status
of the Malay language and Malay culture.

"They are the ones true standard bearers of Umno's struggle - the struggle
for the Malays," he said.
-- BERNAMA