Najib: Umno is not racist

Umno is not a racist party because it has always given justice to the people regardless of their race, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The prime minister said since its inception 67 years ago, Umno had accepted non-Malays as partners and would continue to defend moderate, fair and equitable policies for all.

"This is the best Umno formula (justice for all), not an extreme formula to garner votes, but in the end it will destroy the beloved Malaysia.

"We will not allow such politics... opportunistic politics. We will not allow it because in the end it will destroy everything that has been built by Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN)," he said at the 67th Umno anniversary celebration at the Putra World Trade Centre here tonight.

Present were his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Umno vice-presidents, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, and Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, and BN component party presidents were also present.

Najib, who is also Umno president, said the BN would have obtained a bigger majority had the opposition refrained from harping on racial sentiments in the just concluded 13th general election.

The prime minister said Umno's achievement in GE13 was better than in 2008 despite being attacked vociferously through slanders and lies by the opposition.

"But, in the end the people decided that they wanted stability, continuity, and the development agenda and transformation brought by BN to continue," he said.

The BN won the mandate by clinching 133 of the 222 parliamentary seats while Pakatan gained 88 seats.

In the 2008 general election, Umno won 79 parliamentary seats.

In conjunction with Umno's 67th anniversary celebration, Najib urged Umno leaders and members to conduct muhasabah (acknowledgement within oneself of one's weaknesses, misdeeds) and insaf (righteousness) by making amends to one's shortcomings to regain the support of the people in next general election.

"To those who had supported us, we say thank you. To those who did not vote us, we must ask ourselves how can we get their support in the next general election.

"Do not be arrogant and cocky. We are successful because the people love, support and believe us. Let's remind ourselves all the time, no matter whether one is a national or grassroots leader that eventually the people who will determine Umno's survival and dominance," he said.

The prime minister reminded Umno members at all levels to implement all the pledges laid out in the manifesto and be friendly with the people to ensure that the sacred Malay party could achieve greater success in five years' time.

"Let us all work as a team in a united and cohesive bond to reassure the people that we will ensure that Malaysia becomes more peaceful, prosperous and successful under Umno and BN's leadership," he said.

Najib described Umno as the most successful political institution as it continued to govern Malaysia with other BN component parties through 67 years of partnership.