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KUALA LUMPUR: In his first presidential speech at the ruling party's annual congress, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak urged the UMNO rank and file to rally behind him in reforming the party.
Speaking before the United Malays National Organisation's (UMNO) 2,500 delegates on Thursday, UMNO president Najib urged them to defend the party's future, as well as its legacy.
"Rise up, Rise up with me, forge a united front, heed my calls, regardless in thunder or storm, regardless the earth shatters into two, I will not change my course," said Mr Najib.
He said UMNO needs to shed its arrogant image, and learn to be more inclusive. Urging party leaders to be ready to go to the ground to serve the people, he added that the party cannot afford to make the same mistakes every year.
"The people still love UMNO, what they wanted is for UMNO to change. We will heed their calls, UMNO will change," he added.
Amendments were also introduced to the party's constitution, to allow the members to directly pick the top leadership. The old nomination quota system was also scrapped to allow for more to contest for the top positions.
However, despite the moves, some party veterans said more needed to be done.
Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, former UMNO treasurer, also raised concerns over the state of other Barisan Nasional component parties - particularly the Malaysia Chinese Association, which has been plagued by a leadership crisis.
"Without the component parties, UMNO is not strong, even if they don't like to intervene, the leadership must exert their influence," said Tengku Razaleigh.
Former party president Dr Mahathir Mohamad also warned that UMNO cannot go ahead alone if the other component parties remain weak. Although elections are not due for another three years, he said the party cannot afford to take it easy.
"The time is very short. I think it can be done, provided they really go down on the ground. It is easy to make speeches and make promises... people will be watching whether you deliver or not, whether he walk the talk," said Dr Mahathir.
The future of UMNO depends on whether it can successfully recapture the imagination of not just the malays but all Malaysians. Prime Minister Najib - armed with his "One Malaysia" concept - vows to be fair to all races in his bid to create a better future for the country.
- CNA/sc
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