BY SHAHANAAZ HABIB
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malays should stop wasting time and focus their efforts instead on building themselves into “towering” personalities, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The Prime Minister, who is also Umno president, said the “towering Malays” would be well-rounded people who have developed high intellect, a high-value system, a successful career, a good economic standing and a well-respected culture and religion, so much so that they would be marvelled at by others.
“I want to build not one, not two or three towers but hundreds or millions of towering Malays,” he told a packed hall of Umno grassroots leaders from the country at the PWTC yesterday.
“The Malays need to change their attitude to one that is more constructive. We need to use our time wisely so that we can better ourselves and become more successful. We should have the objective to better ourselves, our families, our race and country.
“Don’t waste time with excessive politicking or writing poison-pen letters. Don’t spend time sembang kosong (in idle chatter) about others,” he said, expressing his annoyance that some Malaysian pilgrims in Mecca had spent time sending ridiculous SMS messages instead of using the time for worship.
“Spend time to look for good ideas. Look at how you can write that working paper for a business project or plan how to get your child to succeed in school. Stop wasting time, wasting your energy and wasting your effort,” he added.
At a press conference later, Abdullah said he had emphasised how important it was for the party and members to play their role as motivators of success and progress.
“We want to empower the Malays. We want individuals who are successful and excellent in education and the career he or she chooses. We want individuals who are cultured, who have a high sense of integrity and who are an asset and a pride to our people and the country,” he said.
He urged the Malays to empower themselves in education, economics, knowledge, religion and other spheres of life.
Leaders who were at the Umno presidential address said it was one of the best speeches they had heard from Abdullah and the message was very deep.
Kelantan Umno state liaison chief Datuk Seri Annuar Musa described the speech as “superb.”
He said there had been some confusion or misinterpretation “created by some people” over some of Abdullah’s policies after he had taken over the helm of the country and the Prime Minister had received word of this and sought to clear up any misunderstanding.
Annuar said Abdullah explained the rationale of his policies and why he had placed great emphasis on agriculture, Islam Hadhari (Philosophy of Islamic Excellence), greater transparency and open contract for projects.
“He linked this to his conviction and belief that he wants to produce a 'towering' Malay character which is a new Malay with a new values system.
“It’s like injecting something into your body and you will develop stronger antibodies and inner strength to face anything that comes your way,” he added.
Vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Ali Rustam said Abdullah’s speech was very motivating.
“The Malays need a lot of motivation. We need to always recharge. So this sort of reminder from time to time is important,” he said.
Information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib described the speech as important.
“What are the characteristics of successful races like the Japanese and Europeans compared to us? The Japanese are quick to adapt to situations and enrich themselves with knowledge. We can learn to be competitive and successful,” he said.