Don't Make It A Culture To Ask For Allowance - PM

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11(Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi does not want Umno members to make it a culture to solicit an allowance everytime they are asked to do something.
Though admitting that such practice exists in Umno, the prime minister said that allowances were only given in cases that were really pressing.
"There are some members who come from other states to attend courses or meetings. Not all of them can afford it and the party, on its own volition and not at their behest, realises that they need help.
"But they cannot ask for money all the time. Even to do little things like helping to up posters, they want money. This cannot be tolerated," said the Umno president after delivering his keynote address at the party's 61st anniversary celebration here.
He said Umno members should not be so calculating when doing work for the party because it was for the interest of the party struggle and the race.
On what he expects from the members for the next 50 years, he said he wanted them to nurture a willingness to make sacrifices for the party.
He said the Umno generation now should continue with the spirit of camaraderie and consensus practised since long ago by the party veterans.
Asked about the poor turnout for this year's celebration which was attended by 3,000-odd people, he said this was because the celebration was held on a working day.
"Today is a working day. We wanted to have it on the weekend but it would be past the date. We also had a celebration yesterday and those who could not come today came yesterday," he said.

tunku : it's always easy to ask others to do things, but the leaders are the one who should set example.money politics has seen the worst under pak lah leadership.your son in law won uncontested because everyone is so afraid to stand against him because you are the prime minister.i guess the poor turn out this year celebration has said enough.there's no point in shedding crocodile tears just to gain sympathy.