FOREIGN OBSERVERS PRAISE PEACEFUL POWER TRANSITION

By Azril Annuar

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- Foreign delegations and observers found
common ground today in complimenting the peaceful power transition between
outgoing United Malays National Organisation (Umno) president Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi and Najib Razak.

Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Prof Dr Da'i Bachtiar said the voluntary
transfer of power was very unique and "I believe this is a good thing."

"Abdullah, as the party's top leader sets a very good example to younger
members of the party, especially on how he climbed the political ladder without
asking or expecting anything other than to fulfil his desire to serve," Dr Da'i
told to reporters on the sidelines of the Umno General Assembly here Thursday.

Kazakhstan's Member of Parliament and International Affairs, Defence and
Security Committee Chairman Nurbakh Rustemov also found to his delight that the
nation's transition of premiership was unlike any other he has experienced
before.

"The transition of power in Malaysia is not a transition from one party to
another but within party bounds and yet it is still very democratic.

On Umno's desire for change, Florentino said he believed Umno had the human
capacity and structure to do so.

"The transformation, which fuses past strengths with new elements necessary
for survival, lies with party members themselves," he said, adding that in any
case, changes were necessary in order to maintain validity.
-- BERNAMA