Monday May 13, 2013

Najib gets staunch support

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and senior Umno leaders have expressed support for the call by party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for the party to address its weaknesses so as to have the continued support of the people.

The recently-concluded GE13 saw Umno improving its seats to 88 from the 79 it secured in 2008 but Najib felt that the party needs to be humble and correct its weaknesses before seeking another mandate in the 14th general election due within the next five years.

He said this at an event to celebrate Umno's 67th anniversary celebrations at the Putra World Trade Centre here on Saturday night.

Dr Mahathir said Najib's address was timely and reminded him of Umno's earlier days.

“I see a lot of the party's fighting spirit returning. The party has the right to celebrate having won the most seats (88).

“But we must reflect on our weaknesses as well,” he said, adding that identifying and improving on the weaknesses were vital to strengthen the party.

“We must ask ourselves why we are not as strong as before and why there's no support from certain groups,” the former prime minister added.

Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said reflection was important in order to overcome political challenges, pledging that the women's wing would never give up the party's struggle.

She admitted, however, that there was disappointment in the party despite its good performance in GE13 and called on women members to heed the president's call to reflect on the weaknesses.

Party vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the labelling of Umno as “racist” should be studied as the party, being the backbone of Barisan Nasional, had united all communities.

“Whatever the allegations hurled against Umno, party members should not dwell on them but instead, work hard for the well-being of the people.

“Umno members must not be arrogant. What we should do is shoulder the trust and responsibilities and carry out the pledges (in the election manifesto),” he said.

Another Umno vice-president, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said Umno must find the “special factor” that would strengthen the party, apart from keeping its struggles alive so that it would continue to remain the people's choice.

Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is overseas, said in his message that a more comprehensive and radical transformation process was needed.

“This is to allow Umno to become a Malay, Islamic and Malaysian political party which is dynamic, inclusive and visionary so that the party can become universal in terms of its struggle without forgetting its original objectives,” he said.

In his address, Najib had also stated that Umno, which has been in power continuously for more than six decades, could be considered the world's most successful political party.

He reiterated that Umno was not a racist party but inclusive and moderate.

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