PUTRAJAYA:
Much wiser after four years, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak did
not mince words, saying Umno has to run faster to catch up with him.
"Change or you will be changed," Najib warned.
Showing the political maturity wanted of many leaders, Najib also threw this challenge to Pakatan Rakyat: "For the good of the nation, set up a formal coalition, put up a shadow cabinet and we can sit down as mature leader."
Najib said all these and more to The Malay Mail journalists in an exclusive interview which lasted well part midnight in Seri Perdana on Sunday.
Showing the political maturity wanted of many leaders, Najib also threw this challenge to Pakatan Rakyat: "For the good of the nation, set up a formal coalition, put up a shadow cabinet and we can sit down as mature leader."
Najib said all these and more to The Malay Mail journalists in an exclusive interview which lasted well part midnight in Seri Perdana on Sunday.
The
Malay Mail (TMM): After the Umno AGM, are you more confident that you
have managed to consolidate the party in time for the elections... you
know, all the various "factions"?
NAJIB: I believe Umno is a much invigorated party after the clarion call I made, about four years ago, that we need to go through a process of self analysis, self criticism to know what we need to do to overcome the weaknesses and shortcomings that led to the political tsunami of 2008.
NAJIB: I believe Umno is a much invigorated party after the clarion call I made, about four years ago, that we need to go through a process of self analysis, self criticism to know what we need to do to overcome the weaknesses and shortcomings that led to the political tsunami of 2008.
...
also for us to consolidate ourselves and work on a plan to strengthen
and revive Umno. I see that coming to a head, so to speak. All the work
we've done over the last four years have come to fruition at this
assembly because I see Umno with renewed vigor... a much more united
Umno.
Of course, we still need to look at some of the internal challenges we have. That goes with every political party, there will always be differences of opinion. But, by and large, people want to work together to achieve a big victory for Umno and Barisan Nasional.
Of course, we still need to look at some of the internal challenges we have. That goes with every political party, there will always be differences of opinion. But, by and large, people want to work together to achieve a big victory for Umno and Barisan Nasional.
TMM: Do you see more seriousness in Umno, this time (in responding to your calls to change face new realities)?
NAJIB: I do! I do see a stronger spirit, and they're heeding my call. For example we should be more inclusive, Umno should lead the way, we should take care of the Malays as well as the other races in the country.
I think that's gone through the assembly because people didn't ridicule or knock down the other races (this time) and there was none of the sensitive racial statements or terminologies that were used before.
NAJIB: I do! I do see a stronger spirit, and they're heeding my call. For example we should be more inclusive, Umno should lead the way, we should take care of the Malays as well as the other races in the country.
I think that's gone through the assembly because people didn't ridicule or knock down the other races (this time) and there was none of the sensitive racial statements or terminologies that were used before.
