Umno General Assembly:
Najib drops the shield with amendments

2009/10/16

Hamidah Atan

KUALA LUMPUR: With the implementation of party constitutional changes, Datuk Seri Najib Razak has left his fate as Umno president to the members.

The amendments, endorsed by 2,510 delegates at a special assembly held in conjunction with the 60th Umno general assembly, provide no shield nor protection in whatever form to leaders. With the changes, the fate of leaders will be determined by a massive number of party members.
"There were those who asked me, "Datuk, aren't you not afraid, you have no protection, no shield, nothing?"
"I told them my shield is the party members. If I am a president who works tirelessly and could serve the party, be the champion of the rakyat and able to develop the nation, I will leave my fate in their hands."
In his winding-up speech that lasted about 40 minutes, Najib said as party president, he could always take a short cut to remain. "But until when? Be the president for life? I definitely would have maintained the constitution but as I have said, I will leave my fate to Umno members to decide."
He said his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin upheld similar spirit. "We want to serve as long as our service is needed by the rakyat until our service results in successes and achievements.
"These are the guiding force for both of us and the others to work harder and with full commitment. We don't want to say the grassroots must work, but we at the top (level) must also work.
"We must not just sit on the sofa, sitting cross-legged. If we want to be exemplary leaders, we must set good examples to the others," he said to loud applause from delegates, including former party president, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who was there in his capacity as Kepala Batas division chief.