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Sizzling pg18
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K
UALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri
Najib Abdul Razak yesterday
called for a change in the way
Umno chooses its leaders,
including re-examining the
two-decade-old quota system, as part
of initiatives to transform the coun-
try’s biggest political party to reclaim
its position as a party of choice for all
Malays.
“This move will be able to put
to an end the problems of money
politics and abuse of power. This is
the path we must take if we are to re-
gain our strength by returning to the
grassroots the mandate for choosing
party leaders,” the party’s deputy
president said at the opening of the
joint assembly of wanita, Youth and
Puteri at Putra World Trade Centre
here.
He said currently, the deciders are
a delegation of some 2,600 delegates
from 191 divisions whose choice
“cannot correctly reflect the prefer-
ences of more than three million
grassroots members”.
The quota system, introduced
after the bitter party elections in
1987 which split the party, had been
criticised in the long run-up to this
week’s party polls as it favoured
incumbents and made it difficult
for new leaders to rise. It also bred
money politics, which the party had
been trying to eradicate.
Najib’s speech will come under
scrutiny as delegates to the assembly
will use it as a guide to elect the lead-
ers who will work with him when he
become president tomorrow to face
the challenges ahead for the party
and the country.
» On the team
he wants
Give me a line of leaders who are
strong and able. Present to me a team
that has the traits of loyalty, integrity,
ability and dedication to duty.
» On change
There is now a perception that the
aspirations of Umno are far removed
from the aspirations of the masses.
To those having this perception, they
feel that what Umno wants is very dif-
ferent from what the rakyat expects.
As such we must correct this percep-
tion and we must not get trapped in
our own cocoon. We mustn’t get too
caught up in the internal processes
of the party. We must never be too
preoccupied with winning positions
in the party, to the extent that we
forget that the real measure of suc-
cess of a democratic political party is
whether or not it can win elections.
Indeed, what is the point of winning
party positions within a party that is
bereft of authority and is no longer
in power?”
If indeed we have floundered from
the soul and spirit of the origins of
Umno’s struggles, then let us change
and go back where we were before.
Let us put Umno back on track. To
do this, we need leaders who are able
and are themselves enablers, leaders
who dare to change and are accept-
ing of change; who dare to criticise
and are willing to accept criticism.
We must dare to change and
Member of Audit Bureau of Circulations (Malaysia)
TELLING IT AS IT IS
» MB sues Gerak chairman pg4 » US details toxic asset plan, Wall St rallies pg9
Relook quota
system, says Najib
abandon negative behaviour in favour
of praiseworthy attributes. Change
from being aloof to being friendly and
approachable. Change from always
thinking of our self interest to instead
putting the interest of the people
above our own. Change from laziness
to diligence. Change from doing the
required minimum to embracing a
passion for service.
» On money politics
Umno, or for that matter any party or
organisation, will be destroyed if its
Who’s contesting leaders are enshrouded in the evils of
money politics. Leaders of good stand-
in the Umno ing who do not indulge in corruption
will be sidelined in favour of those
Youth, Wanita who bribe. The party will be led by
those who will bring their culture of
and Puteri corruption in the way they lead.
Clearly, if this evil is not halted and
elections – pg3 is allowed to grow and fester, it will
become so commonplace that leaders
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No. 4723 PP 2644/12/2009 (023092)
Wednesday
March 25, 2009
www.sun2surf.com
News without
borders
REUTERSPIX
Najib, Prime
Minister
Datuk Seri
Abdullah
Ahmad
Badawi, and
Umno vice
president
and
International
Trade and
Industry
Minister
Tan Sri
Muhyiddin
Yassin pose
as they
arrive for
the Umno
general
assembly at
Putra World
Trade Centre
yesterday.
and followers alike can make light of our younger generation must master
it with humorous remarks like “ beri the English language. Not only that
salah, tak beri kalah” (To give would we must be proficient in at least three
be wrong, not to give would result in major languages in order to be able to
defeat). This is no laughing matter. truly shine in the global arena. Learn-
We must resolve to eradicate money ing another language does not dimin-
politics right down to the roots. If not, ish who we are as Malays. Instead it
we will all be collectively responsible will make us stronger and increase our
for the demise of this beloved party of self confidence in facing the challenges
ours. of a globalised world. Let us not waste
any more time. Stop these pointless
polemics. Put an end to the ridiculous
» On learning politicising of this issue.
English
The special position of the Malay lan- » On engaging the
young
guage will always be upheld no matter
what happens. However, I would also
like to remind all of us, that if a people
perishes what good is the language of
Umno cannot afford to be seen as
a party that is resistant to new ideas
that people? The crux of the matter lies
in strengthening the people or race,
and new people or a party that does
not welcome the young. We must
first and foremost. To do this, we must
first master knowledge and wisdom,
ensure that we cease and desist from
the deplorable acts of eliminating and
much of which is today documented
in the English language. Therefore, » Turn to Page 2