GE Focus at UMNO ASSEMBLY; Struggles for all Races; PM: Malays are not stupid or weak but are like chickens; Ignores “unconstructive nonsense talk"

UPDATE: Nov 05 07; 2.56pm

= = = =another Pep talk by PM at Dept monthly meet. Retain them? Where else can they go? Create more GLCs where the pay is much better?
November 05, 2007 14:10 PM

Abdullah Tells Civil Servants To Listen To Umno Delegates' Views

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has asked civil servants to pay attention to matters concerning the country's development and public service that may be raised by some of the more than 2,500 delegates attending the Umno general assembly. The prime minister said that such comments were not meant to attack government employees. "All of us, especially those working in the Prime Minister's Department, should be listening to what the ruling government party has to say," he said at the department's monthly assembly here Monday. "The delegates may want to voice out their opinions on certain issues or they may choose to remain silent," said Abdullah who is also Umno president.

The Umno general assembly is on from today till Friday at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur. The prime minister said he was satisfied with improvements in the quality of public service following the introduction of several measures, such as the setting up of one-stop centres to expedite the processing of applications. Abdullah said the move to raise the salaries of civil servants recently was aimed at retaining the best people in the public sector.

"We don't want them to leave half-way through the service due to some bad things or doubts about their future," he said. He said those who joined the public sector should be genuinely keen on serving the public. Abdullah said that long-serving civil servants were an asset to the government and those due rewards would be given to them irrespective of race or religion. "They are all brothers and sisters, colleagues who should help each other to attain common goals," he added.

= == = == == end updateIs Malaysiakini poised to cover the UMNO assembly? We have to wait & see. In the meantime, the latest stories are on

Panel to submit ‘individual’ reports Beh Lih Yi | Nov 5, 07 12:22pm and
Forgotten Malays failed by NEP Nov 5, 07 12:51pm and
Malays should stop being fearful: PM Nov 5, 07 12:57pm

Malaysiakini.tv is On Forgotten victims in Kg Rimba Jaya
ABOVE: : A view of last UMNO Assembly
The UMNO assembly is on and the jostling of seats is on as well. A great number of old salts is expected to retire – the most prominent perhaps might be Tengku Razaleigh who has openly pleaded to be considered again for the Gua Musang Seat after being there for 40 years. About time to retire.In the meantime the Deputy PM Najib has called for rejuvenation into UMNO when addressing the UMNOputras coming back from overseas at the 2057 Malay Agenda seminar.. (see bottom). His other advice is those with “the financial means to invest in their children's early childhood education”

What about the great majority in the low cost flats (without the means and barely surviving) that are growing “wild” with single divorced mothers who sometimes have to struggle for a job and leaving them as the “latch key kids”? These “no body” children are the makings of the “mat rempits” – the social menace that is growing uncontrolled and a host of other problems like drug addiction . A better advice is to ask them to stop the violation against nature, control the number of children in so many such disadvantaged families. Getting married is the natural progression but exposed them to “family planning” - if this is not a taboo to them - otherwise how can they give these children the attention for a better education. It pointless providing them the basic necessities of low cost housing, healthcare & allowances and other benefits knowing very well the long term consequences. Is this the UMNO hidden agenda to get the numbers to be forever in power with the ballot boxes filled to the brim in their favor and also Proton & Perodua coffers full?

Other races are doing it, so the Malays must make an effort to if they were to overcome the growing social dilemma. Overpopulation is a violation. When women give birth in an overcrowded world they should also know a violation is involved. When such natural guilt is not faced, other mechanisms must be employed. Presently we have the condition in which overpopulation is compensated by wars and if not by wars then by diseases. But over here in Malaysia we faced neither.

November 04, 2007 20:00 PM

General Election To Take Centre Stage At Umno Assembly
By Khairdzir Yunus
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Many quarters are predicting that with the general election looming on the horizon, it will take centre stage at this year's Umno general assembly which begins Monday. Several senior party leaders confirmed this.

Umno vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (ABOVE) recently said that at this year's assembly, party members would be reminded to focus on the general election. Wanita Umno head Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz on Thursday also said that she would touch on the matter when giving her address to impart the message that focus should be on the general election to ensure a big victory for the Barisan Nasional (BN).

Umno Youth also stated as such. It would be the main thrust of the policy address by the movement's head Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, said deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin recently. It goes without saying that all eyes will be following the assembly very closely. All the debates that will take place will be seen as "reportcards" to evaluate whether Umno had performed well or otherwise.

Not only the population, but foreigners too will be monitoring the proceedings with "microscopic eyes" as the resolutions passed and the assembly's ramifications normally influence the policies of the country. What's interesting is that this year's assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here is being held against a backdrop of the people having to contend with hikes in fuel prices and daily necessities apart from inflationary pressures, all of which there is really not much the government can do because of world economic dynamics. The government and economists do not expect the scenario to change much next year. Once the election is over, Umno members will be due for party polls which will have a major bearing on the pattern of debates by delegates this time.

In speaking on issues like the price increases and the cost of living, Malay supremacy, religion, New Economic Policy (NEP) and Malay privileges when debating the presidential address, there is a chance that some speakers might not be able to restrain themselves adequately and go "off course" or even venture into what is deemed "sensitive territory". This can lead to unnecessary controversies especially if viewed out of context, like what happened last year when the debates were telecast forall and sundry.
However, this year Umno's Supreme Council (MT) took the decision not to air live telecasts of the speeches, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad. Some political observers are of the opinion that it is not wrong for delegates to touch on sensitive issues so long as they are within the confines of the law and furthermore other parties also do it at their own conventions.

They felt that after 50 years of independence, the people are mature enough to accept political debates with open minds and besides, in the final analysis, the doctrine of "consensus of the races" would still determine policies and the direction the nation will take. Umno, they say, being the biggest party and backbone of the 14-member BN coalition, however, should continue to be fair to all races to preserve racial harmony and political and economic stability. The subject on unity is also high on the mind of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also Umno president. This was admitted by Muhyiddin, who recently said that Abdullah would stress on national unity when delivering his policy address. Abdullah in his policy address at last year's assembly held on Nov 15 had said that when discussing sensitive matters it should be done in a calm and rational manner and that delegates should not let emotions get the better of them.

The Umno Assembly is also the appropriate platform to clarify grey areas, and as such, there should be no reason to hide things or that they are not discussed openly but to be done in a wise and humble manner, said one political observer.
Meanwhile, the 12 thrusts to bring the nation forward outlined by the Umno president at last year's assembly should be upheld to continue to guide the party and nation, he said. (Abdullah first presented it to the Dewan Rakyat on Nov 3, 2003). The 12 thrusts he outlined are

right political leadership; collective responsibility; human capital development; economic development; building Bumiputeras to be businessmen, industrialists, scientists and technologists; recognising the private sector as the engine of growth; improving the public delivery system to facilitate the private sector; eradicating corruption; greater transparency and enforcement of laws to combat crime; encouraging the young to actively participate in the nation's growth and the emancipation of women; defending the nation's sovereignity; and building greater national unity under the power sharing concept

However, many are of the opinion that the last one is a matter of concern to the nation's leaders as it appears to be eroding among the younger generation. The proof being in the pudding, the people have witnessed many successes as a result (of the 12 thrusts), among them Malaysia putting a man in space, the setting up of the Iskandar Development Region (IDR), Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), East Coast Economic Region (ECER), the relentless fight against corruption with action being taken against many civil servants and even high ranking police officers, the setting up of

Pemudah (Special Task Force to facilitate Business) apart from international accolades for Malaysia's contributions on the world stage. In his policy address this time, Abdullah in conjunction Malaysia's 50 independecne anniversary is also excpected to revisit the last 50 years of the party and nation's growth and also set the direction for the next 50. An issue that has many worried is that whether Umno is still relevant to the Malaysnot suited for the younger generation. This is expected to be addressed at the Youth level by Hishammuddin, who has stated that the party remained relevant to the 12 million youth in the country. Another issue likely to raise eyebrows is the use of English to teach Mathematics and Science in schools. because of the view that is a party for "old hacks" and Some 2,500 delegates from 190 Umno divisions from throughout the country will attend the assembly while representatives from 33 political parties from locally and abroad have been invited to be observers.

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November 04, 2007 17:03 PM

Malays Must Be Confident After 50 Years Independence - Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (ABOVE) wants the Malays to be more confident of themselves and shed the feeling of scared that has dominated their mind all this while. "The feeling of scared and apprehensive has dominated the thinking of the Malays for far too long, it has been a long time...we are still scared even after 50 years of independence. "Among the Malay professionals, there's no fear, but the majority of the Malays are still haunted by the feelings of fear, " the prime minister said in a special interview with Mingguan Malaysia published today. The Umno president said the Malays must realise that they cannot continue to rely on the New Economic Policy (NEP) or be dependent on government hand-outs. "They must learn to stand on their own feet and learn to be competitive. We will help the Malays who are serious in wanting to do business and want to work hard (to succeed in business)," he said in the interview held in conjunction with the 2007 Umno General Assembly on Wednesday. Abdullah said: "I want the Malays to capitalise on the opportunities given to them. The government has offered a lot of opportunities, especially in the corridor economic developments. "They must be bold enough and take the initiative to seize the opportunities. "There are no easy ways to succeed in life. Only the educated, knowledgeable and the hardworking will succeed eventually," he said. Abdullah said it would take a long process to change the mindset of human beings but "I've said many times ". On views that there are differences between the Malay leadership in world-class government-linked companies with the second echelon leadership in Umno, the prime minister said: "The Malays are fond of making announcements. "They are like chickens, after laying one egg, it tells the whole village, while a turtle lays its eggs quietly, when we come to know, it already has many hatchlings. We need to talk less and work more," he said. Abdullah, however, said he disagreed with the view that the Umno second echelon leadership was not dynamic. He said many among the second-liners are people of calibre and potential. "I firmly believe the second echelon leaders have the zeal to propel Umno towards excellence provided they are well prepared for the challenges ahead," he said. On his leadership style, Abdullah said: "My style is to shut my ears when someone speaks nonsense. I prefer to focus on my work rather than entertaining unconstructive talk." As to the negative perception on the Malay agenda, Abdullah said the perception surfaced due to lack of understanding on the agenda to the extent that people dared to talk about it.

"But I say it needs strong and bold leaders to allow others to talk. It takes bold leaders to forgive and forget and to give someone a second chance," he said. On this year's Umno General Assembly, Abdullah said Umno must show through the motions tabled that the party's struggles were for all races.

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November 04, 2007 13:35 PM
Malays Must Give Priority To Early Childhood Education - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The Malays must give priority to early childhood education to produce a learned and knowledgeable "2057 generation" to propel the nation to greater heights. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Malays must think of the challenges ahead and the areas to be given priority in the next 50 years to determine their direction and way forward. "I see the initial action taken can support and contribute towards the early childhood education objectives. "This is a generation that will surpass 2020 and become the 2057 generation," he told reporters after opening the 2057 Malay Agenda seminar. Najib said that in advanced countries children entered the process of planned education when they are aged two and below.

"Maybe the learning techniques are different...the focus is more on learning is fun, but most importantly the process to develop a human capital must start from the very beginning," he said. He said the nation had started a pioneer early childhood education project under the "Pusat Anak Permata Negara" programme which would be expanded so that "the first step we take today will decide the Malays' destiny in 2057." Najib also advised the Malays who have the financial means to invest in their children's early childhood education before they entered the mainstream education provided by the government. The Pusat Anak Permata Negara programme is pioneered by a group of women professionals led by Najib's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who is also the patron of "Yayasan Harapan Kanak-Kanak Malaysia". The programme stresses on fun learning for children and their achievements are measured in terms of their personality, skills in communicating in Bahasa Malaysia and English, ability to look after hemselves and their physical health.

The pilot project was carried out in five centres including in Chini, Putrajaya, Subang Jaya, Mempaga and Kepala Batas. Najib, who is also Umno deputy president, said the party was in the process of infusing young blood to ensure it remained relevant to the younger set. "It's crucial to inject young blood into Umno because as a political party that has been in power for so long, we must renew Umno's image as a party that is always dynamic, relevant and is prepared to undergo a re-engineering process from time to time," he said. He said Umno had undergone various stages of infusing young talents such as the setting up of Puteri and Putera wings which focused attention on hosting programmes for the younger set. Setting up of the oversea Umno clubs have also produced younger leaders who could be groomed into future leaders to provide continuity for Umno's struggles, he added. The 2057 Malay seminar was hosted in line with the challenges of the 2057 Mission underlined by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for the Malay supremacy in the next 50 years.

ABOVE & BELOW: Some of the participants. This seminar must be an expensive affair with each participant given a to & fro ticket and perhaps also adequate pocket moiney all coming back from overseas and also to attend the UMNO assembly

The seminar, held for the third time, is organised by the Oversea Umno Clubs Alumni to focus on the political agenda. The education agenda and government-linked companies took centrestage in the last two editions of the seminar. Present were Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar, who is also Oversea Umno Clubs Alumni chairman, and his deputy, Datuk Mohamad Rais Zainuddin, who is also 2057 Malay seminar chairman.

= == == = = CLOSING OF THE SEMINAR
November 04, 2007 22:26 PM

Ensure Umno Continuity, Says Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The young should ensure Umno, the backbone of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition which has proven its success in running the country, continues to be successful, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Najib, who is also Umno deputy president, said this was possible because the party managed to transform itself from one generation to another so that it remained relevant to the times. "It (success) is not dependent on the founding fathers only, the present generation whether in towns or rural areas have a role to play to ensure continuity," he said when closing a leadership seminar for members of Umno overseas clubs here today. He said that it was because Umno was able to reengineer itself, like setting up the overseas clubs and Puteri and Putera wings, that the party could continue to keep forging ahead. "We did not sit back and defend the status quo. Let's not be 'inward looking' but 'outward looking.' Umno (overseas clubs) members, especially the leaders, are reminded not to be complacent but to look far into the future as we (Umno) have a long road ahead.

However, he also reminded them not to neglect their studies as their first priority was to complete their university courses successfully but at the same time have a vision for Umno for the next 50 years as espoused by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He said that as every political party will have go through renewal, the time would come when they will get the opportunity to "hold the fort" but they should not view rising in the hierachy as a "passport to riches". "It's a noble calling, as the success or failure of our race will depend on how well we lead and serve the people," he said. Some 160 participants from 66 clubs across the globe took part in the two-day seminar. At the function, Najib also launched the clubs' news bulletin as well as their Internet website Kelab@Umno_.com.