KUALA LUMPUR: Umno must dispel the perception that the party, and the Barisan Nasional, are arrogant and feeble.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said this at Umno's 62nd anniversary celebrations yesterday at the Putra World Trade Centre.

The party president urged members to complement efforts by the leadership to repair the coalition's image since the general election.

"I urge members to join our leaders in working hard to prove that BN is still relevant to all communities, regardless of race and to fulfil our promise to uphold the people's trust for the nation's well-being.

"We have to continue our struggle for the people. We cannot merely chant Umno's motto of bersatu, bersedia, berkhidmat (unite, ready, serve) but must ensure that we don't forget to work towards it.
"We must honour this promise with our political strength and we must do so with integrity."

Abdullah also told members to hold regular discussions to iron out issues and foster stronger ties.

"Whenever an opportunity arises for us to come together to discuss, we should take it.

"Internal relations within Umno will be strengthened and the public will benefit from more intensive discussions.

"We should also keep to the collective decisions which are made during the discussions."

Abdullah, who is also prime minister, said the party might lose power if it failed to tackle the impending food crisis and rising inflation.

He said the government was acutely aware of the situation and had made immediate and substantial allocations to ensure that Malaysians were not burdened by escalating food prices.

"Swift action must be taken in the people's interest. You may not want to listen to me talking about such problems but I have to tell you about them."

As the multi-billion ringgit allocations had not been included in the government's provisions, he said spending on other sectors would have to be reduced.

"If the crisis is badly handled, it will have an adverse effect on the efforts of the party and the government to win back the people's support.

"The government has no choice but to set up a committee on inflation so that it will not collapse as a result of the food crisis."

He said the government was, at the same time, being burdened by an increase in the fuel subsidy bill from RM35 billion to RM45 billion annually.

Abdullah said Umno, and ultimately the country, would gain if its members strengthened their faith in Islam.

He said non-Muslim leaders of BN component parties need not fear an upsurge of faith in Umno.

"If Umno members are good Muslims and hold strongly to our religion, we will work hard in the name of Islam, be honest and be of service to all.

"BN component leaders need not worry or be anxious if Umno members keep to their faith because ultimately everyone will gain."

Umno's new song Umno masih di hati (Umno is still in our hearts) was played for the first time yesterday.