"We were intoxicated by our own achievements and we became complacent. We believed that we had become all-powerful. We have put our own positions within the party first," Pak Lah told delegates attending the 59th Umno annual general assembly in Kuala Lumpur."Materialism has seeped into the party, making a number of party members greedy and avaricious," said Abdullah.
"The path that we choose will determine whether we continue to remain relevant or whether we are reduced to a forgotten footnote in the pages of history," he added.
Calling on Umno to come to its senses, Abdullah said many believe that if Umno and Barisan Nasional do not change, then the March 8 general election will be the last time BN forms government.
"After this (if we do not change), the people outside this hall will not vote for us again. Many have voiced the view that 'Umno needs to change'.
"But what I hope to hear is for you to say 'I will change' and that we have the courage to follow up those words with actions.
"It would be a grave travesty if we do not understand that we are Umno and as long as we do not change, Umno will not change," he added.
For Umno to remain relevant, Abdullah, said the party has to fuse its past strengths with new elements necessary for survival and success.
"Let us revive our willingness to sacrifice, strengthen our dedication, adhere to moderation and be governed by our humanity.
"Rid ourselves of our arrogance and conceit that we are the only ones who are right, that we are the only ones who know all.
"Distance ourselves from corruption. Let us be qual in our concern for all, be they Malays or non-Malays, party members or those who support our opponents," he added.
"Today everything that Umno does is seen as wrong, everything that Umno says is believed to be untrue.
"Indeed Umno, as well as BN, have become everyone’s favourite whipping boy, labelled as the cause of every defect and discordance, and blamed as the perpetrator of immoral behaviour and misconduct even when such actions are committed by those who are members of political parties opposed to Umno," he said.
Abdullah also said that Umno should not turn its back on its responsibility towards safeguarding the position of the Malays and bumiputeras but at the same time steer clear of a racist mindset.
"Umno must never adopt racial and religious positions that are extremist. Umno must never practice discrimination to the extent that non-Malays view it as a racist party," he added.
"Sadly there are still those who feel that we do not need to pursue reforms," Abdullah said.
"They believe that Umno will regain its glory if we revert to the old ways - the old order, by restricting freedom of our citizens and by silencing their criticisms," he added.
Abdullah said these quarters are of the view that Umno can continue to be in power if they safeguard the interests of certain individuals and give in to the demands of certain groups.
"There are those among us who gain comfort from these thoughts and are still lulled into a false sense of security," he added.
According to Abdullah, the old path is the wrong path.
"If we revert to the old path, I believe we are choosing the wrong path, one that will take us to regression and decay. It is the path that I fear will hasten our demise," he said.
"If we do not take courageous steps to reform in the face of dynamic transformation of society and the radical changes taking place, then we shall live to witness the end of our beloved Umno.
"What is the point of fighting tooth and nail for positions in the party if all that remains of us is an obsolete husk," he added.
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The above are the damning indictment of Umno by outgoing Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Abduallah said Umno is now contaminated by greed, complacency and internal rivalries.
The March 8 polls effectively ended his career and was a clear sign that "Umno's glory has dimmed."
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"The path that we choose will determine whether we continue to remain relevant or whether we are reduced to a forgotten footnote in the pages of history," he added.
Calling on Umno to come to its senses, Abdullah said many believe that if Umno and Barisan Nasional do not change, then the March 8 general election will be the last time BN forms government.
"After this (if we do not change), the people outside this hall will not vote for us again. Many have voiced the view that 'Umno needs to change'.
"But what I hope to hear is for you to say 'I will change' and that we have the courage to follow up those words with actions.
"It would be a grave travesty if we do not understand that we are Umno and as long as we do not change, Umno will not change," he added.
For Umno to remain relevant, Abdullah, said the party has to fuse its past strengths with new elements necessary for survival and success.
"Let us revive our willingness to sacrifice, strengthen our dedication, adhere to moderation and be governed by our humanity.
"Rid ourselves of our arrogance and conceit that we are the only ones who are right, that we are the only ones who know all.
"Distance ourselves from corruption. Let us be qual in our concern for all, be they Malays or non-Malays, party members or those who support our opponents," he added.
"Today everything that Umno does is seen as wrong, everything that Umno says is believed to be untrue.
"Indeed Umno, as well as BN, have become everyone’s favourite whipping boy, labelled as the cause of every defect and discordance, and blamed as the perpetrator of immoral behaviour and misconduct even when such actions are committed by those who are members of political parties opposed to Umno," he said.
Abdullah also said that Umno should not turn its back on its responsibility towards safeguarding the position of the Malays and bumiputeras but at the same time steer clear of a racist mindset.
"Umno must never adopt racial and religious positions that are extremist. Umno must never practice discrimination to the extent that non-Malays view it as a racist party," he added.
"Sadly there are still those who feel that we do not need to pursue reforms," Abdullah said.
"They believe that Umno will regain its glory if we revert to the old ways - the old order, by restricting freedom of our citizens and by silencing their criticisms," he added.
Abdullah said these quarters are of the view that Umno can continue to be in power if they safeguard the interests of certain individuals and give in to the demands of certain groups.
"There are those among us who gain comfort from these thoughts and are still lulled into a false sense of security," he added.
According to Abdullah, the old path is the wrong path.
"If we revert to the old path, I believe we are choosing the wrong path, one that will take us to regression and decay. It is the path that I fear will hasten our demise," he said.
"If we do not take courageous steps to reform in the face of dynamic transformation of society and the radical changes taking place, then we shall live to witness the end of our beloved Umno.
"What is the point of fighting tooth and nail for positions in the party if all that remains of us is an obsolete husk," he added.
************************************************************************************
The above are the damning indictment of Umno by outgoing Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Abduallah said Umno is now contaminated by greed, complacency and internal rivalries.
The March 8 polls effectively ended his career and was a clear sign that "Umno's glory has dimmed."
**************************
Source: Malaysiakini.com - Umno Intoxicated and 'Mahathirism' will hasten Umno's demise
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8 comments:
he has been saying similar stuff since he became pm...but erm like ur blog's name....;) cakap tak serupa bikin, in my view
Who really want to leave the gravy train? Change is only a slogan. Divisional chief are more concern about their ROI.
For over 2 decades, all we get from the UMNO and BN politician are ' cakap tak serupa bikin' so no surprise there....
Maybe it's because he no longer have to worry about facing those he refering to anymore as PM, so he "taruh" kuat kuat now. Unfortunately, for UMNO-BN, you can't change a leopard skin! Action speaks louder than words and if UMNO-BN really sincere about what Pak Lah says, put it in motion, no need to talk so much.........come next GE, the rakyat can see what UMNO-BN or PR have done......who is actually for the people.
As per the rest, I too find it so difficult to reconcile what Pak Lah said with the general perception of what he was/condones while in power.
A case of dual persona, Cakap Lain Bikin Lain, or perhaps, just the case of having a damn good speech writer?
PL, after all, give us a LOT of gaffes when he speaks off the cuff..
Now its Najib's turn to Talk the Walk :)
PS: Pun intended as this is what ALL of them have been giving us so far.. Heh.
Typical of outgoing president. Must give a certain scenario, a big challenge, amanat, something to be recorded. Must give due respect, no need to list down the failures of his administration on his last day. Whatever his failures, it open up the elbow room for the opposition. The Opposition should be in tears... not lauding.. :-)
It's not what UMNO did or didn't do. It's what you as the PM didn't do that's what matters most.
La Cha Mau,
Nobody can fault your argument there; neither do I. The list of didnt do; or wrong focus or no focus at all, is sickening..
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