Najib Succeeded In Inspiring Delegates: Abdullah

October 16, 2009 21:17 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Former Umno president Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Friday said the party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's winding-up speech on the last day of the 2009 Umno General Assembly here was very inspiring and lifted the spirits of the delegates.

He said Najib had inspired them, including party division chiefs, supreme council members, Wanita Umno, Umno Youth and Puteri Umno, to together realise the steps needed to change the party, especially those related to party constitution changes.

"What is important is that the delegates here must pass the message to all who are in their respective areas and divisions.

"If it is only they who agree and do not carry the message back to their divisions there will no change at the lower level," Abdullah told reporters after the winding-up debate on the presidential policy speech at the end of the assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre here.

He had attended the assembly today as head of the Kepala Batas Umno division and sat with the delegates.

His presence caught the attention of the apex leadership and the delegates and he was honoured by thunderous applause by those in the hall.

Abdullah said today Najib had further strengthened his policy speech delivered yesterday and urged delegates to have a change of mindset and attitude as well as implement promises made to the party's president.

"If they truly implement what had been promised to the president, God willing, there will be success," he said.

He said the passing of the amendments to the party' constitution, done unanimously yesterday, proved that Umno members were ready to accept the change called for and had one purpose.

Abdullah also said Najib, as president, had done a good job in the running of the assembly.

-- BERNAMA

Abdullah Conferred Honorary Degree By Soka University

September 30, 2009 22:41 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Honoris Causa from Soka University in Tokyo, Wednesday.

In his acceptance speech, the text of which was made available to Bernama, Abdullah expressed his gratitude to the President of Soka Gakai International Dr Daisaku Ikeda for the honour.

"It was my cherished ambition as a student in school as well as a student in university that I serve my country. When I graduated I had no hesitation in enrolling in the government's administrative and diplomatic service.

"When I matured as a civil servant as well as later when I embarked upon my political career, I was determined to contribute, in whatever modest way I could, to the betterment of not only the people of my country, but also to humanity at large," he said.

He said in his various capacities as minister and also prime minister, he was able to help enrich and develop young minds, strengthen Malaysia's capacity to defend itself and play a role in forging peace and stability in the region and around the world.

"If there is anything I am most grateful for, it is that I was able to further widen the democratic space in my country, improve its system of governance and delivery, and spark the modernisation and development of the rural economy through the development corridors that I introduced," he added.

Besides his blood ties with people from Japan, he said Malaysian people always admired the achievements of the Japanese particularly on how they managed to transform their country from the ashes of war to become the second largest economy of the world in a relatively short period of time.

"To emulate Japan, the Look East Policy was introduced. Our bilateral relations has expanded and deepened. Japan became Malaysia's top trading partner after neighbour Singapore. Japan was also among the top five investors in Malaysia in the last decade," he said.

Abdullah also mentioned that the Malaysian government had given a lot of emphasis on developing and distinguishing itself through its well-defined and advanced human capital development infrastructure.

"History has clearly shown that countries which invest heavily in education have progressed well ahead of those that do not," he added.

He noted that during his administration, he also introduced Islam Hadhari or civilsational Islam which he hoped would provide a blueprint and establish a balance in the pursuit of progress and enlightment.

-- BERNAMA

Former PM Pak Lah applauds Najib's message

The Star - Published: Friday October 16, 2009 MYT 8:51:00 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Umno president Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi applauded his successor Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in delivering his message of change in the Umno general assembly this time around.

“Najib has successfully convinced the delegates to be together with him in the amendments that were made in the party’s constitution,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after the closing of the general assembly, Abdullah said the winding up speech had further strengthened the message that the party president had first put forward at the opening of the assembly.

Earlier, Najib said Abdullah had kept two promises he made before stepping down as Prime Minister.

“Firstly, he (Abdullah) said he would not criticise what I do and give me full support. Secondly, he asked me to do my level best, even better than him,” said Najib.

“The important thing is for change to happen in the mindset and attitude within Umno,” he added.

However, Abdullah added that the delegates must also spread Najib’s message when they go back to their respective divisions to push for change within the party grassroots.

Najib thanks Pak Lah for not meddling

Malaysian Insider - By Adib Zalkapli

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 – Datuk Seri Najib Razak today thanked his predecessor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for not interfering in his administration.

In his winding up speech on the last day of the Umno general assembly, the Prime Minister praised Abdullah for standing by him in all the decisions he had made.

“He had promised me two things, firstly he said he would not criticise me, but I want to make it clear today. Not only has Pak Lah not been criticising me, he has also shown his support for my decisions,” said Najib, who took over the government from Abdullah in April.

During his premiership from 2004 till last April, Abdullah had to endure constant criticism from his predecessor, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The campaign against Abdullah's administration from within the party had partly contributed to the Barisan Nasional's (BN) decline in Election 2008.

“Pak Lah even said that if I can do better than him, his support will continue,” Najib told his party faithful today.

Abdullah, who was absent during the opening of the assembly yesterday, was in the audience today.

He joined the delegates as the Kepala Batas Umno division chief and did not take the VIP seat reserved for him.

As a division chief, Abdullah is automatically a general assembly delegate but he was also invited to attend as a guest of honour by virtue of being former party president.

“We are very lucky because at the opening of the assembly a former president was present, and today another former president is with us to witness the closing of our assembly,” said Najib, referring to Dr Mahathir's attendance during the opening of the assembly.

Abdullah’s presence was highly anticipated yesterday as it would have been a rare joint public appearance with Dr Mahathir.

He was absent yesterday because he was unwell, said an aide.

Former PM Pak Lah applauds Najib's message

The Star - Friday October 16, 2009 MYT 8:51:00 PM


KUALA LUMPUR: Former Umno president Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi applauded his successor Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in delivering his message of change in the Umno general assembly this time around.

“Najib has successfully convinced the delegates to be together with him in the amendments that were made in the party’s constitution,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after the closing of the general assembly, Abdullah said the winding up speech had further strengthened the message that the party president had first put forward at the opening of the assembly.

Earlier, Najib said Abdullah had kept two promises he made before stepping down as Prime Minister.

“Firstly, he (Abdullah) said he would not criticise what I do and give me full support. Secondly, he asked me to do my level best, even better than him,” said Najib.

“The important thing is for change to happen in the mindset and attitude within Umno,” he added.

However, Abdullah added that the delegates must also spread Najib’s message when they go back to their respective divisions to push for change within the party grassroots.

Pak Lah: Party should call another EGM to choose top leaders

Sunday October 11, 2009

KEPALA BATAS: The MCA should hold fresh party elections as soon as possible, former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

He said the party should consider calling for another extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to hold an election to determine the position of its top leaders.

Abdullah said he was confident that the party members would prefer this solution.

“My belief is that under the (present) circumstances, the best move is to hold a new election. But that has to be done very quickly,” he told reporters after attending a Hari Raya gathering for Kepala Batas Umno veterans at Penang Golf Resort in Bertam here yesterday.

Abdullah said the MCA central committee must make a quick decision according to the party constitution to avoid creating further problems and challenges within the party.

He noted that the EGM results could affect Barisan Nasional’s strength and influence as MCA was a big party within the coalition and the credibility of MCA’s leadership was an essential factor.

“Party members must accept wholeheartedly the decision (by the MCA central committee) and refrain from fighting among themselves again,” he said.

Amending Umno Constitution Alone Won't Strengthen Party

October 10, 2009 21:21 PM


KEPALA BATAS, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that amending the Umno constitution would not make the party stronger if there was no change in the attitude of its members.

He said the amendments proposed by the current party leadership was more on giving the party a new look to restore its image, but what was more important was the content.

The intention to amend the constitution was good because they wanted to strengthen the party structure and regulations so that Umno remained relevant and would continue to be accepted by the people and the Malays, he added.

However, he said, amending the constitution could not be regarded a solution to solve problems in the party.

"Actually, what makes us strong are party members who are sincere, trustworthy and responsible. This is important. Otherwise, we can make regulations after regulations, but it will take us no where.

"Don't make the constitutional amendments a talisman because what is important is for us to be strong in terms of spirit, morality, love for the party and the desire to continue to fight on, even if not holding high post in the party," he said at an Aidilfitri feast with Kepala Batas Umno veterans here.

Abdullah, who is former Umno president, said it was not wrong for Umno to aspire to be a strong party and to continue to helm the country's administration.

"What is important is that this intention is supported with efforts," he added.

-- BERNAMA

MCA must find new leader fast

KEPALA BATAS, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- The MCA central working committee must hold a special general assembly fast to choose the new leadership following the vote of no confidence in party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

He said the leadership struggle must be resolved immediately so that the problem would not affect the Barisan Nasional's (BN) position.

As a big component party of the BN, whatever happened in the MCA would impact on the strength and influence of the coalition as a whole, he said when asked to comment on the decision of the MCA central delegates to pass a vote of no confidence in Ong at its extraordinary general meeting in Kuala Lumpur Saturday.

The meeting also voted to reinstate suspended deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chuah Soi Lek as a member but not to his former post.

Abdullah said those affected should accept the decision and stop fighting because the credibility of the leadership was at stake.

On the Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party, which was launched today, Abdullah, who was former BN chairman, said having many parties representing the Indian community was not a problem as long as they had the same objective and the objective was good and their actions appropriate.

-- BERNAMA