UMNO Leaders Want Transformation

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) -- UUMNO leaders generally want transformation in the party to ensure that it will continue to be relevant as the platform for the Malays in facing current challenges.

Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said: "Party members must realise how important it is for them to implement changes and reforms to ensure that UMNO continues to be relevant among the party members and the people.

"I fully support the call by Najib," he said when commenting on the opening speech by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the simultaneous general assemblies of the UMNO Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings at the Merdeka Hall, Putra World Trade Centre, here tonight.

He said Najib's speech was also the first signs of the measures to be taken by Najib when taking over the party leadership.

Meanwhile, UMNO information head Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib said Najib's suggestion that the party changed its method of electing its leaders including the quota system was most welcome, "because the quota system is archaic."

"It's also being exploited by certain quarters to gain position," he said.

Umno Supreme Council (MT) member Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said Najib's emphasis on the need for quality leaders showed that the Umno deputy president wanted the Umno delegates to elect leaders of integrity, high morals and capability to give the best service to the people.

"Only with leaders of such qualities that UMNO can be strengthened to champion the cause of the people," he said.

As for UMNO Youth head Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, the deputy president's speech tonight was "realistic, firm, and down to earth, and I believe if he is given a line-up of capable leaders, what is aspired can be achieved."

Hishammuddin, who is also a candidate for the vice-presidency, said what was more important was that the newly elected leaders must support Najib's aspiration to make it a reality.

Wanita UMNO chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz said she was happy that the party leadership acknowledged the achievements of the movement.

"To me and my friends it is a motivation. To those who do not see them, they don't know. But to Wanita members, they know that we have always been committed.

"We are a grassroots party, not an NGO. If we lose the political power, don't talk about anything else. This is our duty because we are the backbone of the party, and do not divert from our true path," he said.

Wanita executive committee member Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim said Najib had given a new lease of life to the party.

"He creates a path, chart a new direction which will open the mind of UMNO members to map out a new vision for the party and the country," she said.

DRT: UMNO is ready for changes. Changes that must be done to revive it as a lethal political party respected by friends and feared by its enemies. We pray that Dato Seri Najib and the newly elected leadership team will be strong and able to support the new President and PM to bring the necessary reforms to UMNO , BN and Malaysian government to achieve economic, political and social stability. May God bless this great country of ours which is blessed with rich resources and strong pool of human capital.