1Melayu, Thank You Najib, And Other Highlights From The UMNO AGM

Umno President Najib Razak diminished the stature of a great man when he said last Saturday at his party’s general assembly that Umno fought for the “same cause” as Nelson Mandela, who had died two days before.

"I would also like us to send a message to the African National Congress (ANC), expressing our appreciation for Nelson Mandela, a man of peace and freedom fighter. This is Umno, we fight for the same cause," says Najib Razak.

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Umno president Najib Abdul Razak attempt to liken his party's struggle with that of Nelson Mandela has drawn ridicule from the DAP.

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Najib's equating Nelson Mandela to UMNO is definitely an insult to the beloved anti-apartheid leader’s legacy. Not only did Mandela fight white supremacy, he also sought reconciliation with his oppressors after ascending the nation’s presidency. For him, racism was a no-go from the start.

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Umno leaders and members are living in a comfort zone without a care for the current issues affecting Malaysians, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s Nurul Izzah Anwar today.

The PKR vice-president expressed dismay that issues like declining education standards, rising cost of living or threats to the nation’s security and sovereignty were never brought up or discussed at the recently concluded Umno general assembly.

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"At a time when the public, including the Malays, are being increasingly burdened by the rising cost of living, Umno leaders and delegates are busy talking about how to consolidate their hold on Putrajaya," she said in a statement today.

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“The future prospects of Malays and Malaysia look bleak under Umno if they do not implement inclusive national reconciliation efforts.”

“Not a single Umno leader or delegate raised the issue of leakage, wastage, corruption and economic mismanagement. Are the public paying for these shortcomings in the form of the goods and services tax, increased fuel costs, removal of sugar subsidy, higher electricity tariffs and City Hall’s assessment rates?

“Because of the overspending and leakages by Putrajaya, taxpayers have to suffer. All the additional revenue Putrajaya hoped to raise is to increase Malaysia’s credit rating and to help the elite few in Umno through the Bumiputera Economic Empowerment Agenda.”

She said the public was not blind, as former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently remarked that the level of corruption under the Najib administration was frightening compared with his time in office.

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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak wants Malaysians to bear short-term pains, such as dealing with higher fuel and electricity costs, in order to get long-term gains.
The long-term gain, he told the audience at the Umno annual general assembly, was a high income nation by 2020.

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“The savings from subsidy cuts we can use to increase funds for rural development as those in the rural areas are our hardcore supporters.

“This is why we need fiscal consolidation. So that we can have more affordable homes, more village roads and bonuses every year for civil servants,” said Najib in his speech at the close of the assembly.

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“Our subsidy bill this year is RM46 billion. It is unsustainable and international ratings agencies have given us the signal that we must trim subsidies,” said Najib.

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"I have never shared this before. When one of our students was arrested in Egypt after being accused of being a spy, my wife made a call to the president's wife and within two hours the student was released.

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"Not just that, during Ops Pyramid, when our students were stranded in Egypt during the Arab uprising, my wife used her good relations with the royal family to allow the students to return home without visas.

“In a normal situation, this is impossible but with the relationship she has with the royal family, we managed to bring the students home,” he said.

“Through her networking, the Saudi government prepared two Jumbo jets and brought our students to Riyadh, although they did not have a visa to enter Saudi Arabia.”

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"Mungkin malam ini akan dapat bayaran (maybe tonight, I will be rewarded)," said the prime minister in jest, drawing laughter from the delegates.

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Putrajaya should use “1 Melayu” in place of its all-inclusive “1 Malaysia” slogan since efforts to reach out to Chinese voters were snubbed in Election 2013, a Penang Umno delegate told the 64th Umno annual general assembly today.

The reason behind the switch, according to Umno veteran Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir, is because the non-Malays had stabbed the party in the back causing the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) to lose many seats in the 13th general election.

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“We do not have to say 1Malaysia anymore. Just change it to 1Melayu. Why should we help them? We help them, they stab our backs,” said Musa, who is also the Penang Umno communications secretary.
The reason behind the switch, according

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“What’s the use of helping them? We did all these things they stab our backs. All that effort... to hold dinners and such with almost RM30 a head,” he added, referring to the many campaign dinners organised by Barisan Nasional prior to the May 5 general election.

"Don't worry if others accuse us of being racists because we are only protecting our rights.

"Not only that, we also protect the rights of others," said Fathul Bari during a debate.

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He then drew a parallel with the DAP, asking what the Chinese-dominated party has contributed to all Malaysians.

"Look at their contribution... more for their own race... so do not blame Umno for empowering our race (Malay). Do not prevent us from defending our race," he said to loud applause from the delegates.

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Umno president Najib Abdul Razak today reminded the Malay community that their rights would not be championed if Umno was not around to protect their interests. "Without Umno, where would we be? Without Umno where would Malays be?"

"To Allah we plead, don't let the Malays disappear in the world, to Allah we plead for help. Where would the Malays bring themselves, if Umno is not around? Where would the heart go, where would the taste go, if the struggle of Malays is no longer there?"

"Do we want the Malay struggle to be destroyed in this land? Would Malays be willing to be sidelined in their own land?

"Where else would the grouses of the Malays be heard, if not in this assembly, if not to this party?" he held.

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He said that because Malays are the majority race in the country, the bumiputera empowerment agenda should become a national agenda.

"What is the use if the country is developed, but its majority race is sidelined and not protected?" he asked.

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However, Najib stressed that he wanted to see the development of the Malay and bumiputera race without sidelining "protection to any other race".

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“It is here that the UiTM (Universiti Teknologi MARA) was uplifted, it is here that the welfare of the civil servants is championed, it is here that the Malay rulers continue to be venerated, it is here that the interests of the Malay and Bumiputera institutions are championed."

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“In addition, it is here that the strategic ministries championing the cause of the Malays and Bumiputeras are envisioned, it is here that the sanctity of Islam is elevated, and it is also at this assembly that the Malays chart the future of their generation,” he said in his policy speech themed “Charting the Future”.

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Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Umno is the only platform for the people, including the Malays, to depend on for their own future as well as that of the country based on the achievements of the party and its capability to implement transformation.

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The recognition given by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that Wanita Umno is the backbone of the party is also a recognition for all the deeds and contributions of women in the country, Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said.

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"On behalf of the 1.3 million Wanita Umno members, I would like to thank Najib because it shows that he has the courage, mission and vision to recognise Wanita Umno as the backbone of the party and not a mere wing.

"After 66 years of struggles, we are finally recognised for our sacrifices and contributions in Umno," she told reporters here today.

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"For 66 years, Wanita Umno has fought for all issues concerning women. We fought for women issued to be addressed and put under a specified ministry and the government gave us the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry," she said.

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Shahrizat said today's date should be remembered as a historical day for Malaysian women as the participation of women in the country's development was actually pionereed by Wanita Umno.

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