More focus on presidential message

However, it was sometimes difficult to assess whether the debaters succeeded in analysing in depth the important message contained in Datuk Seri Najib Razak's speech yesterday which was organisational discipline.

At least one week before the assembly, Najib had begun to talk through the interview with the mainstream media, on the importance of organisational discipline as the factor that would determine the party's success at the coming general election.

Although they appeared to be fiercely preparing to face the general election, several delegates talked about the problems and political situation in their respective states besides highlighting the weaknesses of the opposition.

While Umno should highlight the weaknesses of the opposition to send the message to the rakyat that they should not repeat the mistake of the last election, the party should also carry out a self-evaluation so that they would not be swept off by the 'tsunami' of 2008.

It was unpleasant to concede one's own mistake, but Najib as the Umno president apologised for the government and Umno's shortcomings, and promised to rectify them.

Throughout the day today, Najib and his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin along with Supreme Council members followed closely the arguments presented by state Umno representatives.

During the debate, Penang representative Datuk Abdul Rahim Saibu thanked the president for reshuffling the BN leadership in Penang by appointing a young Turk, Teng Chang Yeow as the state BN chairman to replace Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

"This is the first time in the Umno general assembly, a delegate dared to touch on the leadership of a BN component party," said Sik Umno division head Datuk Mohamad Tajudin Abdullah.

Penang Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman, when asked, responded that the arguments during the debate actually focused on the looming general election and most of the delegates were on an upbeat mood and attacking mode.

"This (exposing the opposition's weaknesses) is aimed at enabling the people to judge for themselves that what the opposition has been doing was only destroying the state," he said.

So far, no delegate had ever asked or urged party members to accept anyone to be the party's candidate in the 13th general election and asked their division leaders to accept the decision made by the party leadership in selecting the candidates.

Terengganu's delegate Datuk Rosli Mat Hassan of Dungun Umno, in the meantime, offered to share Terengganu's 'expertise and experience' in winning back the state after losing it to PAS in the 2004 general election.