Reforms in UMNO must begin with members - Najib

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak reminded UMNO members today to begin the process of reforming the party with self-reformation as the first step to strengthen the party.

Najib, who is also UMNO president, said the process of reforming the party did not rest with the top UMNO leadership only but must also encompass everyone including members at the grassroots.

"Reformation means that we have motivation to struggle for the good of the party. If the people are happy with and have confidence in the UMNO members, it represents the first process in building trustworthiness in UMNO," he said before opening the Johor UMNO convention at the Berjaya Waterfront Hotel, here

Friday.

The Prime Minister also criticised the attitude of some UMNO members who placed more importance on self-interest and lacked the feeling of love for the party.

"Like in the past, when Tunku Abdul Rahman did not have enough money to go to London (to negotiate for the country's independence), there were members who offered assistance but now, when we ask them to do work, some would ask what they would get in return," said Najib cynically, which drew applause from the

more than 800 Johor UMNO delegates present at the two-day convention.