ID :
84675
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 16:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/84675
The shortlink copeid
PM INJECTS CONFIDENCE AND NEW SPIRIT INTO UMNO MEMBERS
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak stressed
Thursday that United Malays National Organisation (Umno) should not be seen by
its members as a party that was passionate only about championing a small group
and as a money-making party.
"The perception of Umno as party to make money must be thrown far away, must
be discarded," stressed the Prime Minister when delivering his speech at the
Umno general assembly here Thursday.
Najib, who took over the party and government from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
early this year, outlined the changes that needed to be made by members and the
party.
As the backbone of the ruling National Front Coalition or Barisan Nasional
(BN), Umno together with other component parties was taking step to restore and
strengthen the support of the people towards the government after losing
two-thirds majority in the 2008 general election.
In his forceful and straightforward speech, Najib seemed successful in
injecting confidence and spirit into the 2,500 delegates to return the party to
its glory thorugh changes being made by the party.
"Rise with me, close ranks. Answer the call. Come to further dignify this
heritage (Umno)," he said to a thunderous standing ovation at the end of his 1hr
20min speech.
Najib stressed that to always have the support of the masses it was
important for Umno to be viewed as and believed to be a party that vigorously
looked after the welfare of the people.
"We want Umno to be seen, felt and fully believed to be an inclusive party
that puts people first and not itself," he said.
The same delegates will attend the special general assembly Thursday evening
after the general assembly is in recess at noon to pass amendments to the
party's constitution to make it more open, inclusive and democratic.
The amendments, that were described by Najib as significant steps that were
historical and courageous, among others propose the abolishment of the quota
system for contesting of highest posts which was linked to money politics.
Najib also called on Umno members at all levels to identify their weaknesses
and shortcomings and take steps to rectify them.
"What is important is the members need to have pure and noble values as the
basis for the party's strength and worthiness," he said.
Najib also listed the political conduct and culture that he wanted members
to practice to ensure the party was accepted by and received the support of the
people.
"Among the attributes that are very well liked and desired by the people is
humility," he said.
He said members must remember that in a democratic country, it is the people
who choose leaders and the leaders they want are those who are always ready to
serve.
Najib also wanted the party's leadership to always be close to the party's
grassroots and the people.
"The people will hate leaders who keep apart from them, were difficult to
approach, what more leaders who were proud and arrogant," he said, adding that
people praised leaders who showed sincerity and were committed to them.
Najib also wanted Umno's leadership and members to be renowned for integrity
when entrusted with the very important task of getting the people's confidence
to be always with Umno.
"If the negative perception about Umno's leaders' integrity and ethics
spreads, it will by itself become a major factor in distancing public support
for us," he said.
The authority and integrity of the party cannot be strengthened just by
shouting but must be translated into and be seen in practices, conduct and
activities as well as the work of all members and leaders, he stressed.
"God willing, the people will accept the party again, wholeheartedly," he
said.
Najib recounted that the pioneers of Umno built the party on the basis of
the philosophy of struggle, sincerity, sacrifice and high patriotic spirit.
He regretted that many of the present generation took lightly the hard and
exhausting efforts of the pioneers who struggled with sincerity, noble hearts
and willingness to put up with fatigue.
He wanted Umno members to take a lesson from the sincere sacrifices of
Wanita (Women's Wing) Umno of yore who gave up their jewellery to pay for the
delegation to London to negotiate for independence led by the late Tunku Abdul
Rahman Putra, Malaysia's first prime minister.
Najib called on Umno members to return to the culture of service and
volunteerism in the party and provide devoted service to party and people.
He also wanted members and party leaders to always understand the thoughts
and aspirations of the people.
Najib expressed confidence that the hopes of Umno's political enemies, who
predicted the fall of Umno and wanted to read it its last rites after the 2008
general, would not be realised, instead Umno recovered fully.
--BERNAMA
Thursday that United Malays National Organisation (Umno) should not be seen by
its members as a party that was passionate only about championing a small group
and as a money-making party.
"The perception of Umno as party to make money must be thrown far away, must
be discarded," stressed the Prime Minister when delivering his speech at the
Umno general assembly here Thursday.
Najib, who took over the party and government from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
early this year, outlined the changes that needed to be made by members and the
party.
As the backbone of the ruling National Front Coalition or Barisan Nasional
(BN), Umno together with other component parties was taking step to restore and
strengthen the support of the people towards the government after losing
two-thirds majority in the 2008 general election.
In his forceful and straightforward speech, Najib seemed successful in
injecting confidence and spirit into the 2,500 delegates to return the party to
its glory thorugh changes being made by the party.
"Rise with me, close ranks. Answer the call. Come to further dignify this
heritage (Umno)," he said to a thunderous standing ovation at the end of his 1hr
20min speech.
Najib stressed that to always have the support of the masses it was
important for Umno to be viewed as and believed to be a party that vigorously
looked after the welfare of the people.
"We want Umno to be seen, felt and fully believed to be an inclusive party
that puts people first and not itself," he said.
The same delegates will attend the special general assembly Thursday evening
after the general assembly is in recess at noon to pass amendments to the
party's constitution to make it more open, inclusive and democratic.
The amendments, that were described by Najib as significant steps that were
historical and courageous, among others propose the abolishment of the quota
system for contesting of highest posts which was linked to money politics.
Najib also called on Umno members at all levels to identify their weaknesses
and shortcomings and take steps to rectify them.
"What is important is the members need to have pure and noble values as the
basis for the party's strength and worthiness," he said.
Najib also listed the political conduct and culture that he wanted members
to practice to ensure the party was accepted by and received the support of the
people.
"Among the attributes that are very well liked and desired by the people is
humility," he said.
He said members must remember that in a democratic country, it is the people
who choose leaders and the leaders they want are those who are always ready to
serve.
Najib also wanted the party's leadership to always be close to the party's
grassroots and the people.
"The people will hate leaders who keep apart from them, were difficult to
approach, what more leaders who were proud and arrogant," he said, adding that
people praised leaders who showed sincerity and were committed to them.
Najib also wanted Umno's leadership and members to be renowned for integrity
when entrusted with the very important task of getting the people's confidence
to be always with Umno.
"If the negative perception about Umno's leaders' integrity and ethics
spreads, it will by itself become a major factor in distancing public support
for us," he said.
The authority and integrity of the party cannot be strengthened just by
shouting but must be translated into and be seen in practices, conduct and
activities as well as the work of all members and leaders, he stressed.
"God willing, the people will accept the party again, wholeheartedly," he
said.
Najib recounted that the pioneers of Umno built the party on the basis of
the philosophy of struggle, sincerity, sacrifice and high patriotic spirit.
He regretted that many of the present generation took lightly the hard and
exhausting efforts of the pioneers who struggled with sincerity, noble hearts
and willingness to put up with fatigue.
He wanted Umno members to take a lesson from the sincere sacrifices of
Wanita (Women's Wing) Umno of yore who gave up their jewellery to pay for the
delegation to London to negotiate for independence led by the late Tunku Abdul
Rahman Putra, Malaysia's first prime minister.
Najib called on Umno members to return to the culture of service and
volunteerism in the party and provide devoted service to party and people.
He also wanted members and party leaders to always understand the thoughts
and aspirations of the people.
Najib expressed confidence that the hopes of Umno's political enemies, who
predicted the fall of Umno and wanted to read it its last rites after the 2008
general, would not be realised, instead Umno recovered fully.
--BERNAMA
