Abdullah Supports Abolishment Of Quota System In Umno

KEPALA BATAS, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- Former Umno president Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi supports the decision by the Umno Supreme Council to abolish the quota system in the party elections.    

  

He believed the decision would be lauded not only by Umno members, but also supporters and fans of the party.

   

"It is a good decision. I support it. I believe the response from Umno members is overwhelming, as well as from party supporters and fans," he told reporters after handing over Hari Raya aid to 216 people in the Pinang Tunggal state constituency here on Saturday.

      

He said this in response to a statement by Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday that the supreme council had agreed to abolish the quota system in the party elections and also to increase the number of delegates to the party's general assembly.  

   

Abdullah also said he was confident that the decision would be welcomed by many people and hoped that it would curb money politics in the party.   

  

In another development, he said the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) should step up efforts to develop the economy of the Muslim community so that they would not be plagued by hardship and poverty. 

 

With the OIC celebrating its 40th anniversary on Sept 25, he said, it was time that it and also other Islamic non-governmental organisations to work together for the purpose.  

  

"When I headed the organisation before, I said that it had been my aim for attention be given to developing the economy. This being that poverty and backwardness form the biggest problem to the Muslim community," he added.    

   

Abdullah, who is former OIC chairman, said that with the current world economic situation, it was apt for OIC member countries to help one another.   

  

The former prime minister also said that there were many challenges facing the OIC, including issues in Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq.   

   

At the function, Abdullah also received RM89,750 in business tithe from two banks and a company to be distributed to the needy.  

  

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=439964

Mindset Change Crucial In Achieving Success - Abdullah

NIBONG TEBAL, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- Former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said mindset change is crucial in achieving a world-class success particularly in the field of education. 

 

He said that during his tenure at the helm of the country's administration, he had given top priority to education."A revolution in education is needed to take the country's human capital to greater heights," he said at the Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) commemorative convocation here on Wednesday.     

  

At the ceremony, USM Chancellor Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Education to Abdullah. Abdullah also spelled out challenges facing institutions of higher learning in carrying out a revolution in education, namely the need to inculcate noble values, and to function as a centre for human capital development.     

   

"The younger generations should also continue to nurture tolerance so that they can live in harmony with other communities," he said.     

  

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=439109

Shah Alam Temple Issue Should Have Been Resolved Much Earlier - Abdullah

KEPALA BATAS, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- The Selangor government should have resolved the Shah Alam temple relocation issue much earlier to avoid racial tension, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

He said the state government should realise that delay in resolving the relocation of Sri Maha Mariamman temple from Section 19 ke Section 23 would lead to trouble.

"I read in newspapers that the Menteri Besar said the Selangor government will find a new location for the temple. This should have been done much earlier," he said after presenting scholarships and hampers in conjunction with Aidilfitri here on Sunday.

Abdullah said media reports on the demonstration by Section 23 residents in Shah Alam showed that racial ties were not good and that there were religious problems. Religious issues should be resolved amicably otherwise it would lead to strong reaction and cause tension among the people, he added. 

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=438449

Compromise To Settle Crisis In MCA - Abdullah

KEPALA BATAS, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- Feuding groups in MCA have been urged to show responsibility by striking a compromise to settle the crisis in the party, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.        

      

He said the crisis should be settled fast to prevent it from worsening as this would not only destroy MCA but also Barisan Nasional (BN).  

  

"It is a difficult and big problem. If they feel responsible, then they need to settle it fast," he said after presenting scholarships and gifts to mark Aidilfitri organised by Yayasan Budi Penyayang here on Sunday.     

     

MCA plunged into a crisis when deputy president Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek was sacked by the disciplinary board last week over a sex DVD which had smeared the party's image.   

  

Some 127 students who received offers to study at institutions of higher learning received their scholarships while 350 senior citizens and the disabled (OKU) received hampers in conjunction with Aidilfitri.   

  

\(http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=438430)