Najib: Umno party for all

PUTRAJAYA (Oct 13, 2009) : Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said today the time has come for Umno to be the main political party to take charge of the welfare and well-being of not only the Malays and bumiputras, but of all Malaysians.

Najib during a special interview with Bernama.

The prime minister said that while representing the interests of the Malays and bumiputras, Umno had to change with the times to also look after the interests of the other races.

This was in line with the 1Malaysia concept of "People First, Performance Now" which was gaining positive acceptance from all the races, he said.

"I think we have come to a stage where Umno is seen as a party which looks after the welfare and well-being of all Malaysians," Najib, who is also the Umno president, said in a special interview with Bernama here.

Although Umno was a party of the Malays and bumiputras, it should be allowed to take charge of the interests of all the people, he said.

Najib offered the reply when asked of the message and image which Umno wanted to bring to the arty’s general assembly and special general assembly to amend its constitution to be held over two days from tomorrow.

However, he stressed that this did not mean that Umno would open its doors to all the races right now, and added that it would be left to the members to determine that some time in the future when they were ready to do so.

He said Umno had to put forward the openness in its approach to take care of the interests of its members and the people as a whole in undergoing the process of renewal.

"It does not mean that we concentrate on our members only, though our members are important, but we must have the capacity and wisdom to expand what we can do in terms of delivering our message and fulfilling all the aspirations and resolving the problems of the people as a whole," he said.

Najib said this was why he emphasised "people first" because the people would support the Barisan Nasional (BN) government if they were a satisfied lot.

He said the massive BN victory in the Bagan Pinang state by-election in Negri Sembilan on Sunday was a crucial point in the process to restore the spirit of Umno members.

However, he reminded party members the victory did not mean that everything was back to normal because "one swallow does not make a summer".

"Umno should strive harder and in a more organised manner to achieve bigger victories. We still have bigger responsibilities and duties which we have to discharge with full commitment and dedication," he said.

"Only then can we assume that Umno is on a strong and solid foundation." -- Bernama

Bye-bye MCA. Umno for the Chinese.

Bye-bye MIC. Umno for the Indians.

Bye-bye Gerakan, Makkal Sakti party and other component parties (IPF 'coolie' included).

Umno party for all!