Two thumbs up from Dr M
(The Star) – FORMER Umno president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has given the thumbs up to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak‘s presidential address.
He lauded Najib for touching on the part of Umno’s history which many were not aware of.
“He has rightly pointed out that Umno is not a racist party.
“Umno has worked with and supported other people,” he said.
Another former president Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi called on Umno members to heed the president’s call to make way for winnable candidates.
He said choosing candidates was not easy, thus all members must accept the president’s decision, as his choice would be for the betterment of the party.
“I’ve went through the process of choosing candidates … let me tell you, it is not easy.
“It is the president who will decide who will contest,” he said on the sidelines of the party general assembly here yesterday.
Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said it was interesting to observe that Najib stressing on love, duty and sacrifices in his speech.
“These are the traits that Wanita members are known for,” she said.
Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said Najib obviously understood the demands of the young people.
He said Najib knew that while it was important to keep reminding people of Umno’s contribution to the country, it was no longer enough to secure the support from the young.
“If the party has no vision and direction, the young will not support us,” Khairy said.
He was also impressed when the president spoke about the supremacy of ideas.
“He gave an impression that he is willing to accept good and bright ideas even though they are proposed by young people.”
Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said the call for Umno to engage the young people through new media was timely.
“If we want to win, we must have the X factor’,” she said, adding that the wing had set up its own cyber troopers group two years ago.
“We are improving it and hope to contribute in our own way, not only physically, but through new media as well,” she said.
