ABDULLAH SETS EXAMPLE BY NOT DEFENDING POST

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he decided not to
defend his position as Umno President to pave the way for a younger leader.

The Prime Minister said he chose to do that even though many within the
party and the government had asked him to defend his post.

"I appreciate the similar decision to step down taken by my colleagues and
friends, whether at the level of branch, division, Youth, Women or Puteri (an
offshoot of the Women's wing).

"We have to accept that the reality is that positions and posts are
not private property, even your own wealth and possessions cannot be brought
with you after death.

"It is with that realization, a deep sense of love for Umno, and a grave
sense of responsibility to the party and to the Malay race, that I have chosen
not to defend my position as Umno president," 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, 69, who became Umno President in October 2004, is being replaced
by his deputy, Najib Razak, 55, who won the post unopposed.

Abdullah sought forgiveness for what he described as his weaknesses and
imperfections during his tenure as Umno president and Prime Minister.

"In my years of public service, there have been times that I have erred.
I, too, have not been able to fulfill all my promises.

"Only the Almighty is perfect. I acknowledge here that the weaknesses and
imperfections are my own.

"I have tried to carry out my responsibilities with sincerity and honesty,
and today, I seek your forgiveness for those weaknesses and imperfections.

"I have tried to carry out my responsibilities with sincerity and honesty,"
he said.

Abdullah said for all his mistakes and shortcomings, it had never been his
intention to waver from the responsibilities of serving the people and the
country to the best of his ability.

He said in spearheading the party, he strived to continue the work of his
predecessors, and introducing new initiatives and measures to chart new
frontiers for greater glory for the country.

It could have never been done without the support of Umno and Barisan
National members, the civil servants, and the people, he added.

"My responsibilities as Umno president ends at the conclusion of this
assembly. Soon after, my term of prime minister to the people and the country
that I so love will also come to a close," he said.

Abdullah recorded his gratitude to Umno members for their dedication,
sacrifices, support and assistance in his 45 years of public service.

He expressed his appreciation to Najib for his support in his capacity as
Umno Deputy President and Deputy Prime Minister.

"It brings back nostalgic memories of the responsibility and trust given to
me by his late father, Abdul Razak Hussein (the second prime minister) since
1969 when I served in the National Operations Council (NOC) Secretariat.

"I thank the late Hussein Onn (the third prime minister) for giving me
the opportunity to become a candidate in the Kepala Batas parliamentary
constituency in 1978 and subsequently appointing me as a member of the
government.

"I thank Dr Mahathir Mohamad (former prime minister) for appointing me a
member of the Cabinet, as deputy prime minister and finally, giving way for me
to succeed him as prime minister.

"Thank you Tun (Mahathir)," he said to the applause from the floor.
-- BERNAMA