Steer clear of sensitive issues, delegates warned

 

Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor has warned delegates who will be attending the party annual general assembly not to play up sensitive issues related to race and religion.

He said even personal problems among members should not be debated during the assembly.

"We should not touch on personal problems, sensitive race issues and sensitive problems between Umno members.

"They can do what they want in accordance to the guidelines given by Hishammuddin Hussein, as the vice-president in charge of these matters," he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Umno would be holding its 65th annual general assembly from Nov 25-29.

Speaking at the Putra World Trade Centre today, he added that although the results of the recent general election did not exactly favour the ruling coalition, all Umno delegates are advised to treat other races as “friends”.

Tengku Adnan, who is also the federal territories minister said while Umno is known as a party which champions the rights of the Malays, other races still consider it capable of ensuring peace and development for the country.

"Fundamentally, this party is about championing the rights of the Malays. We fight mainly for the interest, religion of the Malays, and (also) for the country.

"However, we were taught by our forefathers that we must live in harmony with other races in Malaysia. That is what we are emphasising.

"Umno members must realise, we understand the anxiety the Malays are facing when the results of the last election showed that other races no longer supported BN.

"And when you don’t support BN, they (Umno members) take it to mean the non-Malays do not support Umno," he said.

The minister stressed that there is no need to fret and be anxious as all the other races are considered as "friends".

"Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Ibans...they are all Malaysian citizens," he added.