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The 'last of the Razak generation' bows out
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BN leaders show full support
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PM proves many bloggers wrong
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In the end, he made a sensible decision
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PM: Institutional reforms on track
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10 things Umno must do
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Abdullah remains cheerful
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Najib to respond today
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MCA respects PM’s decision
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Kit Siang: Pak Lah can still fulfil pledges
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A leader who started out boldly
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Abdullah won't defend party post
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Post–Abdullah Umno
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BN leaders respect Abdullah's decision
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Major challenge for Najib to regain public confidence in BN
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Abdullah's decision a big sacrifice, says Muhyiddin
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PM
was forced to retire against his will, says Lim
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March exit for Abdullah
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Pak Lah to go come March
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A final bit of business for the PM
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Dr M happy for Umno
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Pak Lah unites Umno – against him
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PM will not defend Umno post
1. I have been in public service for over 45 years. I have served this country
as a civil servant, and as an elected representative of the people. I have
served as a member of government and feel blessed to serve in the highest office
in the land. I have seen this country grow from a small, poor nation into the
modern, prosperous Malaysia that we live in today.
2. Despite our successful track record, for the past few years I have firmly
believed that our nation is standing at an historic crossroads. We must reform
some elements of our nation, we must evolve and mature, or we risk losing all
that we have gained in over 50 years. Throughout this time of reform and
transformation, we Malaysians need to be united now more than ever before.
3. In all my years of service, I have always been guided by my conscience. I
have always placed the interests of the nation above all else. It is with this
in mind that I announce I will not stand for the Presidency of UMNO. I do not
want a divided party and governing coalition, but one that is united and
harmonious. A united Barisan Nasional is vital in order for the country to face
the global challenges ahead and for Malaysia to become a fully developed nation,
with prosperity and fairness for all.
4. My current term as President of UMNO ends in March next year. There are
several initiatives I intend to see through before I leave office. These
initiatives are important because they are necessary to move our country
forward. These initiatives are needed to regain our country's competitiveness.
They are necessary to enable our nation and our society to face the challenges
that the world has in store for us. I ask all Malaysians to unite and join me in
working towards making Malaysia a better place.
5. First, our institutions need to be reformed and strengthened.
i) The judiciary needs to enhance its stature and credibility in the eyes of the
public. Before I end my term, I will table a Parliamentary Bill to establish a
Judicial Appointments Commission. Such a Commission will propose judicial
appointments in a transparent and merit–based manner.
ii) We also need a strong and effective anti–corruption body that can combat the
cancer of corruption without fear or favour. Before the end of the year, I will
table a Parliamentary Bill to establish the Malaysian Anti–Corruption
Commission, with greater powers of investigation and enforcement. The
Commission's oversight structure has been modelled after the successful ICAC in
Hong Kong.
iii) I also intend to complete the establishment of a Special Complaints
Commission to enhance the integrity and effectiveness of enforcement agencies.
6. Second, I have long spoken about the need to ensure that the fruits of growth
are more equitably distributed. In the recent Budget, I explained the
government's commitment to strengthening and enlarging the Social Safety Net.
We will speed up work on this front to help poor and disadvantaged Malaysians,
regardless of background, race or religion.
I will also work to ensure that tangible results can begin to be enjoyed in
Iskandar, as well as the development corridor initiatives around the country.
7. Third, I would like to see the Government and Barisan renew their commitment
towards building a united and harmonious nation.
Society has seen an alarming decline in inter–racial and inter–religious
relations. Various issues have cropped up which threaten to tear the very fabric
of Malaysian life.
We need to tackle these issues head–on, through dialogue; deal with the issues
constructively and even–handedly; ensure greater clarity and certainty for the
people; and focus on the points that unite us, rather than the points that
divide us.
For this reason, I will convene a BN Convention early next year. This is a
long–term effort that I hope to kick–start and continue to contribute towards.
I fully intend to see through my mission, and I am sure that my successor will
carry on this agenda.
I want to hand over to my successor a Malaysia that is capable of weathering the
challenges of a dangerous global economy, a Malaysia not of rich and poor, of
young and old or of the city or the kampung (village), not of south and north,
and not of one religion or another but of unity and harmony.
This is not the time for infighting and narrow politics but for greatness, unity
and cooperation.