Headline An eventful year for Umno MediaTitle New Straits Times Date 28 Nov 2013 Language English Circulation 95,860 Readership 236,000 Section Local News Color Full Color Page No 8 ArticleSize 361 cm² AdValue RM 11,732 PR Value RM 35,196 An eventful year for Umno survivability: General assembly set to further unite the party's rank and file AMUSINGLY, some analysts are at loss eyes over Umno s astounding achievements to deduce issues that may take centre within such an eventful year, a learned view stage in the upcoming Umno general would reveal that the party's efforts to win assembly next week. the people's support is far from farcical. A host of issues were resolved through a Its strategy to adopt a Malay­centric ap­ barrage of events taking place throughout proach, but not at the expense of neglecting the year; from the prolonged 13th General the needs of other communities as the back­ Election campaign to the recently­conclud­ bone of , has come to ed party polls, which saw more than 146,000 fruition. delegates vote to preserve Umno's current Even Pas sought to take a leaf out of leadership line­up. Umno's book and attempted to reignite its Save for matters relating to its amended original struggles, albeit in vain, as wit­ internal election processes, controversial nessed at the party's recently­concluded topics that had besieged past assemblies, muktamar over the weekend. including allegations of phantom voters or This speculated "admiration" is seen in the money politics, were duly cleared. materialisation of an Umno­Pas muzakarah Even talk of Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul (talk), following an invitation by Jalil, who thought she was teetering on the Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakub, who is edge of a political cliff following a spillover Pas' ulama council deputy chief. of a heated government­linked company Umno permanent deputy chairman Datuk issue, has ceased. Mohamad Aziz is fond of saying "Alham­ The Wanita Umno chief's smile now dulillah" (praise to Allah) whenever he wit­ shines ever more brightly; a typical anecdote nesses a positive development in the party's in mainstream political circles to illustrate direction. Umno's survivability. "I am pleased to say we are more united "Look closely and you will realise than ever before, as can be seen during the that Umno is going from strength general election and party election. to strength. As most issues that "If you want to talk about the possibility of cropped up in the run­up to the contentious issues being brought up at the election have been resolved, in­ assembly, I will say 'Alhamdulillah', there is ternal bickering has ceased," said virtually none. Universiti Utara political "Umno has for long remain steadfast to its scientist Dr Muhammad Fuad Oth­ struggles to uplift the people, religion and man. country. We will focus on topics relating to "The party assembly will func­ the three elements," said Mohamad. tion as a brainstorming session on Observers have noted that Umno's core how to place better focus on serving the strength lies in its ability to adapt to a rakyat. No one is rocking the boat, hence, no changing political landscape, despite claims reason for party members to create an up­ that the party is losing clout and popular roar at the assembly." support from the electorate. Most importantly, Prime Minister and Fundamentally, Umno is striving hard to Umno president Datuk Seri 's ensure a continuity of service to the people, administration and leadership have been which would ensure its survival in widely accepted by members. a politically demanding climate. "His staunchest supporters are his three The launch of the Bumiputera Eco­ vice­presidents, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid nomic Empowerment initiative in Hamidi, Datuk Seri and Datuk September is the foremost example Seri ," said Muham­ of the party's unceasing effort to mad. realise its political ideals. As one of the oldest and largest political It is considered to be a definitive parties in the country, Umno is no stranger push towards closing the income to harsh challenges. While fervent detrac­ gap between the country's multi­ tors in the camp may roll their ethnic composition by transform­ Headline An eventful year for Umno MediaTitle New Straits Times Date 28 Nov 2013 Language English Circulation 95,860 Readership 236,000 Section Local News Color Full Color Page No 8 ArticleSize 361 cm² AdValue RM 11,732 PR Value RM 35,196

ing Bumiputeras into an econom­ maintain its momentum and take note of its ically resilient and competitive community. victory in the general election, which saw it Most significantly, the task to uplift the triumphantly wrest from Pas. took on a slight personal note to "It is important to see whether Umno's Najib; his father, the country's second prime transformation has instilled confidence minister, was the man behind the New Eco­ among the younger generation in order to nomic Policy, which was introduced in 1971. win their support." Syed UmarAriff The NEP brought definitive changes in the As of Nov 7, the Umno general assembly isanNST Bumiputera social standing and economy. motion committee has received 273 motions journalist Today, the blueprint has given birth to thou­ from 191 divisions, with political motions sands of Bumiputera professionals, such as topping the list at 72, followed by education doctors, lawyers and engineers. (46), religion (37), economy (36), social (12) "The challenge now is to see the im­ and others (70). plementation of the economic empower­ The assembly, to be held over six days ment programme down to the grassroots starting from Dec 2, will see whether Umno's level," said Kuala member of par­ transformation will, in essence, further liament Datuk Irmohizam Ibrahim. move the party forward and bolster its rel­ Irmohizam stresses the need for Umno to evancy.