UMNO ASSEMBLY Umno president Najib Abdul Razak today stressed that calls for bumiputera empowerment is "not racist" as Umno has never deprived other races.
He also said that Umno's struggles share the same principles as recently deceased anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela.
"Umno will send condolences to the African National Congress (ANC) on Mandela's passing in appreciation of this man of peace's fight for freedom.
"Umno will send this message in our name as Umno struggles on the same principle (as Mandela)," he said while winding up the Umno general assembly today.
He also said that Umno's struggles share the same principles as recently deceased anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela.
"Umno will send condolences to the African National Congress (ANC) on Mandela's passing in appreciation of this man of peace's fight for freedom.
"Umno will send this message in our name as Umno struggles on the same principle (as Mandela)," he said while winding up the Umno general assembly today.
Citing a conversation with a Mandela's fellow inmate at Robben Island where the latter was imprisoned for 27 years, he said for anti-apartheid activists, the struggle was paramount.
"I was told that at Robben Island, the winters were harsh so the inmates would form two circles to protect one another from the elements, with the old outside and the young inside.
"I asked why the old were outside and was told that if the young survives, then their struggle will survive," he said.
He said the anti-apartheid activists did not do it for rewards and Umno can learn from this, especially by giving way to the younger generation.
However, this did not get much response from the party delegates, resulting in Najib prompting them again by asking if they agree.
Umno should not be 'apologetic'
Meanwhile, speaking on the motion to further enhance bumiputera stake in the economy, Najib said that Umno should not be "apologetic" about it as it is the right of the bumiputera as the majority race in Malaysia.
"Don't point at us and call us racist. Umno is never racist and is always fair to all.
"We want the Chinese, Indians, Kadazans and all to move forward wth us, but with Umno in the lead as Umno's leadership is fair to all.
"But we cannot guarantee that Malays will be treated fairly under other parties. This is the Malay way - fair and considerate," he said, to agreement from the assembly.
Najib said that it has also been proven that no race has been deprived under the New Economic Policy, which was introduced by his father, second prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein.
"Were they sidelined during the NEP? Did we ever hurt the livelihoods (tutup rezeki) of other races?" he said, as delegates loudly responded 'no'.
"I was told that at Robben Island, the winters were harsh so the inmates would form two circles to protect one another from the elements, with the old outside and the young inside.
"I asked why the old were outside and was told that if the young survives, then their struggle will survive," he said.
He said the anti-apartheid activists did not do it for rewards and Umno can learn from this, especially by giving way to the younger generation.
However, this did not get much response from the party delegates, resulting in Najib prompting them again by asking if they agree.
Umno should not be 'apologetic'
Meanwhile, speaking on the motion to further enhance bumiputera stake in the economy, Najib said that Umno should not be "apologetic" about it as it is the right of the bumiputera as the majority race in Malaysia.
"Don't point at us and call us racist. Umno is never racist and is always fair to all. "We want the Chinese, Indians, Kadazans and all to move forward wth us, but with Umno in the lead as Umno's leadership is fair to all.
"But we cannot guarantee that Malays will be treated fairly under other parties. This is the Malay way - fair and considerate," he said, to agreement from the assembly.
Najib said that it has also been proven that no race has been deprived under the New Economic Policy, which was introduced by his father, second prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein.
"Were they sidelined during the NEP? Did we ever hurt the livelihoods (tutup rezeki) of other races?" he said, as delegates loudly responded 'no'.
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