2009/10/16
By Ahmad A. Talib
ON Tuesday, Datuk Seri Najib Razak had his audience in stitches when he gave an off-the-cuff pre-council briefing to delegates attending the annual Umno general assembly.
Yesterday, he took them to a new high as delegates spontaneously responded to his spirited plea to close ranks and rise to the challenge of making Umno inclusive, and respected and to retain its position as the nation's beacon of hope.Deprived of such a fiery display of oratory in recent years, many in the Dewan Merdeka wept, most openly. "It's been a long time since we heard something this spirited at our annual assembly," a delegate from Kuala Lumpur said.Najib, who is also prime minister, wasted no time in getting right into the issues confronting Umno and its members. In a delivery that was forceful and substantive, Najib acknowledged that the party's struggle was far from over.
Supreme council member Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah says Najib’s speech possesses intellectual conviction
"Perjuangan yang belum selesai," Najib said, echoing the words of one of his predecessors, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The latter, asked to comment on Najib's speech, said it was very spirited, leaving the party to now walk the talk.Indeed, much remains for the party rank and file to translate Najib's vision into reality. The speech created a lot of buzz and excitement at the Putra World Trade Centre, and members appeared raring to go to put right what is wrong. Delegates and Umno members in and outside Dewan Merdeka were full of anticipation for Najib's speech. They got a glimpse of what was coming on Tuesday at the presidential briefing.Najib's compatriot, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, was among the first to offer his views. Adnan said: "The speech makes me proud. Indeed, it's the speech of a president. I don't mind telling you, the speech made me cry, and I'm not ashamed of it."Towards the end of his speech, Najib himself was close to tears as he psyched his audience. He was mindful of the renewed confidence among members, especially after winning the Bagan Pinang by-election in Negri Sembilan last week."One swallow does not make a summer," he admitted, but quickly pointed out that Umno is still very much a good brand. The hall knew what he meant, and delegates applauded when he demanded everyone not to rest on their laurels.One time party secretary-general, Tan Sri Sanusi Junid, likened the speech to the breaking of sunshine after years of bad weather. This was a sentiment apparently shared by many others.Wanita chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, described the speech as "stunning", and rightly so. In fact, Najib's skill as an orator shone throughout the delivery, prompting Tengku Tan Sri Ahmad Rithauddeen to beam in delight. "Par excellence," the chairman of the party disciplinary committee said.
It's pertinent to note that Najib did not overly chide the members. But he did warn wannabe wakil rakyat that the party would only pick candidates who were accepted by local voters.
Wanita head Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil says she was stunned by the speech
In a speech that reflected his thoughts on the malaise that threatened the party, Najib's words also gave the crowd a sense of renewed confidence, something that the three million-odd members are in dire need of.Judging from the spontaneous reaction, they were not disappointed. If the members had been groping to find a sense of purpose in their struggle after last year's general election, and after losing six by-elections in recent months, they found it yesterday.Supreme council member Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah summed up his views: "There is intellectual conviction in Najib, not that I doubted it before. But hearing it at this assembly, it's most welcome."While the speech itself was full of energy and delivered with much vigour, much needs to be done. Najib had said what needed to be said, but for the changes to be effective, the leaders must really work hard.Najib's formula of winning the hearts and minds of the voters is not new. These tested ways have been proven in the past, but neglect and an indifferent attitude had taken their toll on the party.Najib's efforts to create a winning psychology now rests on the shoulders of the three million-odd members.
