Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has pledged that Umno will be fair and just to all communities.
He reminded Umno members that being the largest party in the Barisan Nasional coalition came with heavy responsibilities.
Abdullah said other component parties had willingly given Umno their trust to lead the coalition because they believed that the party would treat them fairly.
“The younger generation must remember that the leadership role in the Barisan is a big honour for us,” he said.
Umno, he said, was given the leading role because it had been proven that the party was moderate and responsible and that its leaders were trustworthy and fair. That strength should not be taken for granted and should be preserved, he said.
“No one community gets 100% of all that it wants and neither does anyone get zero. All demands are discussed and debated together before reaching an agreement for the good of all. Balance is important,” he said, adding that it was not easy to come to a consensus, but it has been done.
Source: The Star
“Otherwise, we would have been voted out,” he said, reminding some of the more outspoken delegates who had stated that Umno should use its power to seek a greater share of the country’s wealth for the Malays.
“Everybody wants fairness. They want fair leaders. Therefore, we must ensure that we, as leaders, can be fair so that there will be no reason for them (other races) to abandon us.”
The prime minister said fairness was a strength and Umno must use this strength to discharge its responsibilities in a trustworthy and responsible manner.
“We must be responsible not only to our race but also to other races who have accepted our leadership.”
Focusing on the other subject heatedly debated — Islam — Abdullah told the delegates that Islam decreed that its followers must be fair and just.
“Why does Allah order us to be fair to human beings — regardless of race and religion? There must be a wisdom behind it because Muslims may lead groups from different racial and religious backgrounds.”
Without referring to some of the more extreme demands made by some delegates — but making it plainly obvious that he was referring to them — Abdullah said Umno leaders must always make decisions which could be accepted by the non-Malays.
“We must never forget the rights of other races as stipulated under the Constitution. We must uphold the Constitution which was agreed upon by past leaders — both Malays and non-Malays.”
Abdullah acknowledged that Umno members had the right to debate issues relating to the Malays and to voice their aspirations. But at the same time, he cautioned, “we, as leaders of all Malaysians, must never forget their needs as well”.
Source: New Straits Times
