Saturday November 18, 2006
Be fair to all
The 57th Umno General Assembly Highlights
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KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has pledged that Umno will be fair and just to all communities.
He reminded Umno members that being the largest party in the Barisan Nasional coalition came with heavy responsibilities.
“If we had not been fair in the past, we would have been thrown out long ago,” he said in his winding-up speech at the 57th Umno general assembly yesterday.
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IN REMEMBRANCE: Abdullah reciting a prayer for his late wife Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood before finishing his winding up speech at the Umno General Assembly here yesterday. – Bernamapic |
“The younger generation must remember that the leadership role in the Barisan is a big honour for us,” he said.
Umno, he said, was given the leading role because it had been proven that the party was moderate and responsible and that its leaders were trustworthy and fair. That strength should not be taken for granted and should be preserved, he said.
He noted that the debates which were telecast live over Astro had caused some concern to the public, especially those which were fiery and had taken a racial tone.
Referring to often heated debates in verse form, Abdullah said: “Reaksi orang Melayu panas tapi terkawal. Panas tak terbakar, Marah tak berkelahi. (Malay reaction is always hot but under control. It is hot but does not burn, angry but without coming to blows.) He said the other component parties – just like Umno too – had to serve their own communities which had their own set of demands.
“No one community gets 100% of all that it wants and neither does anyone get zero. All demands are discussed and debated together before reaching an agreement for the good of all. Balance is important,” he said, adding that it was not easy to come to a consensus, but it has been done.
Tolerance and power sharing, he added, was essential for peace and stability in the country.
On non-Malays questioning the privileges of the Malays, Abdullah pointed out that non-Malay leaders had been part of the agreement which was subsequently enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
Abdullah said the policy to eradicate poverty and restructure society was a long journey which required commitment from all.
He said the issue of the bumiputra equity was important but expected the debate to end after this.
He also said that it would be a shame if Malays did not use the opportunities given to them and sold these off to others.
“I believe the non-Malays will be pleased if the Malays put their privileges to good use,” he said.
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