Umno Members Focusing On New Leadership

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the main focus of Umno members in the run-up to the power transition would certainly be the new leadership under Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He said the leadership transfer would soon take place as had been decided, and he believed party members were already in the right frame of mind to accept and promote the new leadership.
Ahmad Shabery said it was important for party members to avoid from giving focus to other things that could affect the strength and solidarity of the party as had been the case in the past where there were teams supporting the party president and his deputy.
"Under the Umno system as well as that of the country, the most important is the number one. Whether Umno is appealing or otherwise...whether the Barisan Nasional is appealing or otherwise...everything is focused on the number one," he said.
Ahmad Shabery said this when replying to a question on Umno during an interview with Bernama TV in the programme 'Helo Malaysia-Bersama Menteri' (Hello Malaysia-With the Minister), at Wisma Bernama, here Wednesday.
"But what's more important among those who are not young is to be together in his (Najib's) leadership, they must also show that they are willing to change or to adapt to the way of thinking and action that are acceptable to the new generation...the YouTube generation...Facebook and SMS generation, and at the same time continue the tradition that we have maintained all this while," he said.
Ahmad Shabery pointed out that the responsibility, aspiration and demands placed on Najib were immense and this burden must be borne collectively.
He said the power transition would be done within the same framework and in terms of its structure, the previous Umno and the present one were the same, for example, the election would still be carried out by the delegates, this time involving about 2,600 delegates.
"But at the same time, we must realise that the 2,600 delegates must be seen as voting not only for the interest of these 2,600 individuals. This is because whoever becomes the Umno leader will also be the country's leader (prime minister). So, how do we demonstrate to the people that the decision made actually reflects the aspiration of the 27 million people in the country.
"But the Umno people cannot be thinking that 'it is my club...it is my party...I can choose anyone I like'. Not now. We can't be thinking in this manner. The person that we choose will determine the fate of the children and grandchildren of these 27 million people. That's why the people are now watching Umno. So, this decision will determine whether the people are attracted to Umno or otherwise," he said.
On his candidacy for a Supreme Council seat, Ahmad Shabery said he was only one of those who had offered to contribute in strengthening the top party leadership.

tunku : shabery hit it right this time. umno delegates should not vote for only themselves in the coming election, they should vote for the 27 million people out there. if they choose wrong leaders, then the majority out there will not support them anymore.they need to seriously think whom they are voting for and whether the person is widely accepted by all malaysian.