Embrace new realities or face ‘tragedy’, Najib tells Umno

By Clara Chooi

December 01, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak warned Umno members today the party will face “tragedy” if it fails to embrace “new realities” in the political landscape.

In a mildly-charged speech, the Umno president told delegates at the party’s annual general assembly here, said to be Umno’s last before elections are called, that victory was a must and “there is no second place in a democracy”.

“We must become champions,” he said.

Najib (picture) also reminded delegates of 10 points of history, which he said had become “game changers” for the party’s survival.

“What is meant by game changer? Firstly, it is new realities.

“If Umno does not understand new realities in the political landscape, how can Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) succeed?” he boomed to thousands at the Putra World Trade Centre in his policy speech.

He stressed the importance of using new media, saying it could determine the party’s success and failure.

“Like it or not, Umno has to master the new media. It could level the playing field or turn the battle lopsided,” he warned.

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