KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 5, 2010): Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties must avoid the four "diseases" – delusion, amnesia, inertia and arrogance – which can make them lose the people’s support, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said today.
BN component party leaders at the convention.
Saying parties which had been in power for long rarely had an introspective view on their weaknesses, the Barisan Nasional chairman warned that these were diseases they might face. "(So) do not be deluded into thinking that you will receive continuous support from the people. Secondly, do not have amnesia and easily forget the main reasons for our struggles.
"Thirdly, the inertia disease occurs when we refuse to make reforms and changes. Lastly, is the disease of arrogance where we cannot accept the public’s comments," he said when opening the BN convention at Wisma MCA.
"These diseases, especially arrogance, will surely cause the people to feel hate," said Najib who warned BN parties, whose leaders were seated on stage, that it was imperative for them to avoid the four diseases "before the love, hope and support of the people turn into the opposite".
"We must find a formula for recovery and implement it constantly. That is what we have been doing and will continuously do; only then we can secure a big victory as dreamed," Najib, who is Umno president, told the 2,340 delegates from 13 component parties.
The convention was themed "1People, 1Nation, 1Vision". The first convention was held in 1995 and the last one in 2001.
Najib said compared to the 12th general election held in April 2008, support for BN was returning, and proof of this was the wresting of the Hulu Selangor parliamentary and Galas state seats from the Opposition. He said BN’s retention of the Batu Sapi parliamentary seat, with almost double the previous majority, also showed the people’s support was returning.
"The changes that have occurred show we are ready to listen to the people and will continue cultivating their aspirations," he said. "It is clear that others are merely traders of dreams, merchants of realities proclaiming fantasies when in reality, the BN has been on the forefront to fight for the interest of the people," he said adding that the values which had become BN’s strength were its wisdom, sincerity, ability, vision and interest to establish a peaceful, stable and progressive nation.
In his hour-long speech, Najib stressed that BN had always put the people’s interest first, had been able to deliver its promises and bring the nation to a remarkable level.
Speaking at a press conference after the convention, he refuted claims that the convention was to gear up for the 13th general election. He said it was held to introduce political transformation needed as part of the effort to strengthen the BN and its component parties.
"This convention has not only successfully raised the spirit of the component party members but has also given a guide and direction which is clear on what (the component parties) should do to embrace the recommendations for political transformation," he said.
Speculation about an impending general election grew stronger after Umno postponed by 18 months its polls scheduled for next year.
"I know the press is obsessed with GE but we wanted this (convention) as a process to strengthen BN continuously ... it’s not just directed to GE13 but an ongoing process."
"The election can be held any time, it is up to us to decide when it can be done," said Najib.
He also said Umno understood the concerns raised by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek at the convention that BN must not be seen as merely collaborating during the elections but must be genuine in power-sharing at all times.
Chua also said that decisions pertaining to policies should not be announced at the Umno general assembly or at its supreme council meetings, which were not equivalent to cabinet status.
Najib said that the situation worked both ways. "We understand and it works both ways. We have to be sensitive about the feelings of all component parties it doesn’t mean (just) Umno alone but MCA, MIC ... it applies to all."
On the Sultan of Selangor’s warning of an imminent water crisis if differences between the federal and the Selangor governments over an inter-state raw water transfer project was not resolved, Najib said that the problem was serious.
"The problem is (because) the state (which) has a very different position on the water problem. It is a serious problem and we should set aside political issues and look at the interest of the people more than anything else," he said. -- theSun
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