Umno president Najib Abdul Razak today tried to lift the spirit of party members who had gathered for the party's 63th anniversary by stating that problems can be solved.

He was referring to the Kuala Lumpur High Court decision this afternoon which handed the Perak state government back to Pakatan Rakyat.

High Court judge Abdul Aziz Abd Rahim had proclaimed Pakatan's Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as the rightful Perak menteri besar, forcing BN's Zambry Abd Kadir to give up the position which he had held since early February.

umno 63 anniversary dinner 110509 01 "Today we should have celebrated our anniversary in a happy atmosphere, but it is tainted by the court decision," he told in his speech to about 1,500 members who attended the celebration at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

The event was attended by former party president Dr Mahathir Mohamad and all other party leaders. However, immediate past president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was absent.

Also missing was Zambry, who is believed to be holed up with his exco members and advisors on how to counter the court decision.

Najib had earlier today said that BN would be filing an appeal against the decision tomorrow.

But it is learnt that the Perak BN would also be attempting some extra-judicial, but legal, methods to regain power in the state without having to face a state election.

Mohammad Nizar for his part will be meeting the Perak regent tomorrow morning to seek dissolution of the state assembly.

One way for Zambry and his men to take over the control of the state would be to call for an emergency session of the state assembly and then pass for a vote of no-confidence against Mohammad Nizar.

With the numbers on its side, BN is expected to rally through such a motion.

State assembly speaker R Ganesan has been reported by the media as saying that he would be looking at ways to call for an emergency sitting.

We must change to remain powerful

umno 63 anniversary dinner 110509 03 Meanwhile, at the Umno anniversary dinner, Najib reminded the party members that the party had faced adversity before and had always managed to bounce back.

"In history, we have faced a court decision which banned Umno but we stood up and formed a new Umno to continue our struggle," said the prime minister.

He said that the party had won some court cases, including in the ongoing Perak affair, and lost some.

"This is not the end of the road. We will figure out how to solve problem," he said.

He also alluded that the matter would be discussed at the supreme council meeting soon.

He again stressed that Umno can overcome whatever problems it faces.

"This is our family and based on our family strength, we will move forward," he said,

umno 63 anniversary dinner 110509 02 "My heart is happy as I see this hall filled with faces of Umno members, our friends and colleagues from BN, (and) former party president Tun Mahathir."

In his speech, Najib also reminded party members that they needed to move forward to ensure Umno remains relevant and in power.

He said the party can no longer rely on sentiments and nostalgia to win votes and support.

"We are not a party which is based on nostalgia. We should not look backward. We have to become a party which dares to change," he said.