Monday 12 May 2008

Show the critics that Umno is not arrogant - Pak Lah

Umno members must counter the notion that they are arrogant and corrupt, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The Umno president said the party must show the people that it always had their interest at heart.

“This is very important,” he said at the party's 62nd anniversary celebrations at Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.

He said there were accusations hurled at Umno that it was arrogant and weak.

We should not close our ears to these accusations. God gave us ears to hear. We must dispel these accusations against us and clean up what is not right,” he said, adding that there was strength in integrity, a virtue that every Umno member should have.

He also said it was important to safeguard the party’s, coalition’s and government’s integrity.

“I do not want people in government or those who are MPs and assemblymen hauled up in court for corruption, abuse of power or other criminal offences.

“I don’t want to see newspapers highlighting such cases because I expect something better from you all,” he said.

Touching on the 12th general election results, he said, it was clear that voters gave the party and Barisan Nasional a “signal” that something was not right.

I admit the results were really not good. I feel sad, really sad about it. But we should remember that although our majorities were reduced and we lost support, we still won a substantial number of seats.

“Umno won 79 parliamentary seats which is far more than PAS and PKR put together. So we should not be in a state of panic and chaos and act as if our party lost, and allow the losing (Opposition) parties to behave as if they won,” he said.

Calling on Umno members not to patah semangat (lose heart), Abdullah said it was crucial to fulfil promises made to the people and take care of their needs.

“We must be united and be of service to the people. That is our party objective and slogan all this while. Bersatu, Bersetia, Berkhidmat (United, Loyal and of Service) – what’s the meaning of our slogan if we forget to do this?” he added.

Abdullah said the country was currently going through another economic crisis due to high oil prices and rising food prices globally and that the impact was felt by the people.

He said it was important for the Government to act to ease the burden on the people, and pointed out that the petrol subsidy borne by the Government had grown to RM45bil a year compared to RM35bil the previous year because of the world crude oil prices.

Touching on the non-Malays, Abdullah gave the assurance that although Umno was a Malay party, it always gave support to its non-Malay component parties and members.

Abdullah also said in the past 62 years Umno had gone through many ups and downs.

But Umno has survived until today because we carry the party in our hearts. Even when Umno was deregistered, we did not die because the Umno in our hearts can never die,” he said. - the Star

(Alaihai Pak Lah. Gelak besar baca berita ini. " ... there were accusations hurled at Umno that it was arrogant and weak..," But isnt that true? Let me show you: this and this and here and here, view this and this . This is precisely why BN lost five states and PAS retained the state of Kelantan. You still don't get it?)

12 comments:

Rozaimi Bin Mohd Said said...

Pak Lah called on UMNO members not to lupa diri...He still do not realise it or purposely chose not to realise it...it is the UMNO leaders who needs to be told not to lupa diri and not the ordinary UMNO members...

read here http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0512&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_01.htm

Anonymous said...

No, he still doesnt get it. Look lah in my area of Shah Alam where 60% of the voters are Malays, they rejected Umno for PAS' Khalid Samad.

What does that tell the UMNO leaders? That we have enough of them. Cakap tak serupa bikin. That's it.

Umno is irrelevent now, Pak Lah. No matter how hard it tries to re-invent itself, it's not going to work.

So just dont waste yr time.

Bye-bye Umno. Hello Pakatan Rakyat.

Hi&Lo said...

God gave us one mouth, two ears, two hands and two feet to talk less, hear more, walk and work more.

Pak Lah has said the right thing but it's not enough. You failed to follow thru your talk. How much time do you need to warm up?

zaitgha said...

Kak Ton,

I know i being rude here but i think his 'bodoh sombong' is so thick in him....sheeesshh so geram..

Anonymous said...

Excerpts of Dr Sivapalan's letter to Malaysiakini on why BN/Umno did badly in the 12th G.E.

Absolute power corrupted them absolutely
Dr V Sivapalan | Mar 12, 08 5:25pm

"...This was not a question of the social contract, it was a political problem brought about by Umno leaders feeling superior because of their overwhelming victory in 2004. One event led to this but now the people have spoken. Umno is not superior and it better learn its lessons. Islam like all other religions preaches humility, yet Umno politicians were arrogant and egotistical.

All BN needs to do now is to go back to the constitution and recognise the rights of everyone. Treat everyone as equals, be humble and work with MCA and MIC as partners should work. No one is master or slave; it is a partnership. Understand everyone’s needs and be sensitive to their religions and cultures. Treat everyone well, listen to the people and give all an equal chance at life. Stop cronyism and corruption which only enriches the few at the expense of the many. Every corrupt act deprives someone else of a benefit especially the poor (Malays and non-Malays).

To the opposition which has won handsomely especially in the five states, my wish for you is simple - rule well, rule fairly and rule equitably..

Anonymous said...

Well, give the man credit for admitting his mistakes. I bet he's having a hard time to make it work for the better and judging from what we see is prevalent on the net, he aint getting the (netizens') support he needs.

I believe that it is difficult governing a country, and although most of us are starting to lose faith in BN. Dont have too much faith in any other party too because they can screw up in the future too.

Anonymous said...

Kak

In an exclusive with Sin Chew Daily, Lim Keng Yaik touched slightly on the arrogance and abuse of power by "certain UMNO leaders" and named that as the main cause for BN's bad showing in GE2008. I've got some of the article translated at my blog.

But I guess UMNO is the tempurung, and its members the kataks. They still don't quite see the whole picture till now.

It's not a "notion" that they're arrogant and corrupt. And they can't "show" that something that they never had (people's interest at heart).

Sure, everyone deserves a chance to redeem themselves, but it's definitely not going to happen if they remain in a state of denial.

Anonymous said...

It's about time Pak Lah go for a holiday...and don't ever come back!

Anonymous said...

Alahai! PM's & memanda menteris' grey matter are still running on Pentium II! Still talking about "accusation" - its NOT accusation lah Pak Lah, its REALITY! After 2 moons of GE12 the message has not got in?! This is the quality of leadership that we have running the country...

Anonymous said...

Alahai Kak Ton,

Is the man for real!?! :D

Masya-Allah, he soooo tak geddit. I laughed and at the same time cringed with embarrassment on his behalf.

This confirms beyond doubt our Pak Lah's plankness. Definitely thicker than the 2x4 Doc Bakri alluded to.

Either that or his speechwriter is secretly working for his enemies. :D

Bung Karno said...

Yes,Mr PM

You are arrogant.

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

that's a tough one, pak Lah. its going to be an Everest of a mountain to climb. good luck, fellas!