Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed that UMNO is not racist, instead it practices 'elastic politics' which is flexible to the current situation.

The party vice-president who is entrusted to discharge duties of the deputy president said, UMNO also looked after the non-Malays in the principle of 'One nation one roof'.

"As the people said, during hardships, UMNO also felt the difficulties," he said when opening the simultaneous UMNO Youth, Wanita and Puteri general assemblies at the Putra World Trade Centre, here tonight.

Ahmad Zahid stressed that UMNO was indeed not only for the Malays and the Bumiputera, but the party had championed the rights of other races, although the facts had shown that UMNO and Barisan National(BN) were rejected by the city dwellers who the majority were non-Malays.

The deputy prime minister had also urged UMNO wings to help the party in informing the public in general that UMNO had successfully proved its relevancy in the context of national politics.

"Spread the news to all of them out there, that UMNO is not racist. We adhere to the principle of power-sharing," he said.

He had also urged all BN component parties to work together as hard as UMNO.

"Let us work together. Let us together strengthen our fists to enable us to fight any one who tries to knock down our government," he said.

Ahmad Zahid had also read a poem written by himself and intended for the BN component parties in defending BN during the coming 14th General Election.

Hendak belayar ke Teluk Betung

Sambil mencuba labuhkan pukat

Bulat air kerana pembentung

Bulat manusia kerana muafakat

Bunga dipuja setiap masa

Amat indah si mawar putih

Negara Malaysia tanah pusaka

Tempat mencurah taat dan kasih

"Come, let us together fight in defending this inherited land. Let us preserve our victory," he added. --BERNAMA