Najib says it will determine survival of Malays, future of people and country, not just Umno and BN
Najib delivering his speech at Umno General Assembly 2017. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: The upcoming 14th general election carries a big mission in determining the survival of the Malays and the future of the people and country, and not just for the sake of Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN).
Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said this was because GE14 would put the people at a deciding crossroad, and even more monumental, which would determine the fate of this nation.
“Clearly this is not a game because making the moves in our struggle is so crucial and there is no more bargaining,” he said in his policy speech titled ‘Implementer of Wisdom of the Elders, True Hope for Wellbeing of the Nation’ at the opening of the Umno General Assembly 2017 at the Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.
In his high-spirited speech, the Prime Minister said Umno had proven itself as a party that was still strong in looking after the interests of the Malays and others, and which also remained as the main pillar of BN.
Najib said he imagined a nightmarish existence and ill fortune which could befall them if Umno and BN failed to be retained as the ruling government in GE14, said to be close approaching.
“Firstly, are we willing to let Islam and its teachings be mocked and insulted in this land?
“Secondly, are we willing to see our institution of royal rulers no longer held in high esteem and in fact, might be disrespected, while the institutions which are the pride of the Malays like Mara (Majlis Amanah Rakyat), Felda and Tabung Haji will promptly be sidelined,” said Najib before the 5,628 delegates from 191 Umno divisions across the country.
He also visualised the fate of institutions which are the pride of Umno and other Bumiputeras like Universiti Teknologi Mara of which their objectives would be undermined just like that if the opposition rules, while the civil servants who are the backbone of the current government would be reduced in number.
He said the grudge of the detractors towards the special privileges enjoyed by the Malays and other Bumiputeras could see the dignity of the latter being trampled upon and their position compromised.
Worse still, he added, they could be destitutes and reviled to the lowest ebb in their motherland.
In his speech, Najib also called on all Umno members to visualise whether they would still be able to gather at Dewan Merdeka, the sacred hall, if Umno and BN fall to the opposition.
“Will we still hear the invocation of blessings upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad reverberating in this hall? Will the Umno patriotic songs still be heard here? Will the Umno flag still be flying?
“Will we be able to hold back our tears and stifle the sadness in our hearts when we can no longer assemble like this, in a big family of Umno ‘siblings’?” he said.
Najib said the party members would by then realise the joy of being in this organisation and how noble to struggle under Umno but at that time, all these would be meaningless.
“At that time, our grandchildren will be asking us why we fail and allow all that to happen. With a face filled with a million regrets and with tears in our eyes, we can only ask them to forgive our wrongs,” he said. — Bernama