The need for Malay Malaysians to face the challenges of globalisation is one of the main themes in Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's maiden speech at the party 55th general assembly today.

In his 90-minute speech delivered this morning, Abdullah urged the Malays to get ready for the forces of globalisation.

"The Malays must have a global mindset, understand the global scenario and be able to face the challenges of the global environment."

He also stressed that it was important for the Malays to think critically and develop strategies to face global challenges.

"Umno has a duty to help the Malays become stronger, more able, confident and courageous....But in undertaking all these efforts, Umno should also prepare the Malay mind to face the realities of this world," he added.

The premier said the Malays must be honest with themselves and accept the fact that those who get something easily have no real and intrinsic strength.

"If we fail to hone the competitive skills of the race, we will eventually become a defeated race. Malays will always be looked down upon, always feel insecure and lack confidence and be seen as a burden by others," he added.

He said the Malays have no choice but to work hard if they were genuine in their efforts to develop the race.

Changing the mindset

He also told delegates that to "continue relying on the 'crutches' (read: government aid), will further enfeeble the race and we may eventually end up in a wheelchair".

"Because of fear, they (the Malays) revert to old habits, look for quick fixes and blame others," he said, adding that such an attitude should not be allowed to flourish.

He said many believe that the Bumiputera problem is due to a prevalent mindset and attitude, and the Bumiputeras themselves do not reject this.

"Many Bumiputeras want us to change our attitude, to allow ourselves to be more independent and competitive. But in the same breath, they ask for an increase in aid and extra protection," he added.

Abdullah, who is also prime minister, said he strongly upholds the objective of the party to fight for Malay rights.

Wide gap

The premier revealed that the efforts to raise the economic status of Bumiputeras "have not achieved complete success".

"The overall achievement is still measured in absolute terms and not in relation to other ethnic groups," he said, adding that the household income for Malays remains lower than the Chinese.

"The Bumiputera professional class has grown but the non-Bumiputera professionals are still far ahead," he added.

Abdullah also stressed on the importance for the Malays to be prepared to face the challenges of globalisation.

"They need to be a race that can communicate and interact through a global lingua franca, such as English, to facilitate trade and allow us to disseminate and acquire knowledge effectively," he said.

No compromise

Meanwhile, in an obvious reference to former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, Abdullah stressed that there cannot be any compromise with those who blight and tarnish' Umno's name.

"It (the party) cannot compromise with those who have disparaged, smeared and attacked the dignity of and been treacherous to the party," he said to a resounding applause from the delegates.

More applause followed when the premier said Umno will not allow itself to be used as a stepping stone for any individual's personal gain.

He added that Umno's strength derived from collective leadership and was not dependent on a single individual because "no leader lives forever".

"Umno remains. Its leaders empower the party and the party strengthens its leaders," he said.

Abdullah said the party wants to inculcate a culture of discipline hence why the supreme council has taken many steps to curb the practice of money politics.

The premier, who is helming his first Umno assembly since taking over last November, reminded delegates that they would have to face the people in five years time at the next general election.

"How easily we forget the dangerous moments we faced in the 1999 general election. We have only recently redeemed our dignity in the previous polls. It is too soon for us to start fighting each other," he said.

The opposition staged a commendable performance in the 1999 polls, which many attributed to the widespread anger due to the sacking of Anwar in the previous year.

The meeting was adjourned after Abdullah's speech to allow the 2,553 delegates to cast their votes to elect three vice presidents as well 25 others for the powerful supreme council. Vote counting started at 2.30pm and decision is expected at about 6.30pm.