An Umno representative from Malacca stole the show early in the morning by his fiery speech with racial overtones during the 57th Umno general assembly today.

However, moderation followed soon after a reminder was issued by the party's permanent chairman Onn Ismail, who is in charge of conducting the assembly.

Running into its second day at the Putra World Trade Centre, all the representatives made calls for racial and religious unity in their speeches at the assembly.

Here are excerpts of what they said:

Hasnoor Sidang Hussein, Umno Malacca delegate:

The non-Malays have been challenging the Malays more seriously now despite the existence of the social contract and provisions in the federal constitution ensuring the position of Islam, the Orang Asli and the syariah courts.

Until today, Umno is still passive, soft, tolerant and defensive. I believe they (non-Malays) will not keep quiet and will continue to challenge the Malays. If the setting up of an interfaith council (IFC) is successful, those non-Muslims who are the enemies of Islam will side with them (those who challenge the Malays).

Why should Malays and Umno be passive and defensive? It's time to raise our voices and defend the Malays and Islam. Umno is willing to risk lives and bathe in blood in defence of race and religion. Don't play with fire. If they mess with our rights, we will mess with theirs.

Umno faces challenges from DAP who are Chinese chauvinists, the ignorant PAS and threats from overseas. Friends in Barisan Nasional, too, have questioned us. That's why the Malays must unite under Pak Lah's leadership to defend race and religion.

Onn Ismail, Umno permanent chairman:

(Reminding delegates that the debates were being shown 'live' over Astro.)

I've been told that delegates are sleeping, reading the newspapers and are talking to each other. As for those who are going to speak, behave at all times especially when you are speaking because all this can be seen on TV right now.

Kamarudin Ambok, Umno Federal Territory delegate:

The development of Malays are not proportionate with the development of the nation. The government and administration may be headed by Malays but we have not achieved enough.

Why do we keep talking about the Malays' performance? It's because we're still far behind? If the Malays don't help each other, who is going to help us?

What did we do wrong? Other races now are braver to question our special rights and the social contract. In the past two years, tourism has raked in RM1.86 billion but how much of that amount trickled down to the Malays?

Are they staying in Malay hotels? Are they using Malay services? Are they eating in Malay restaurants? What can we do to prevent the flow of money to other races? We should not be mad at them, it's not their fault. But the government must continue to assist us.

Mufti Shuib, Umno Selangor delegate:

Our past leaders in 1957 were new to ruling the country after being ruled for 400 years. They were susceptible to mistakes too. But we have risen from it and we won't make the same mistakes as they did then.

Pak Lah is unique. We've never called past leaders 'Pak Tunku', 'Pak Razak', 'Pak Hussein' and 'Pak Mahathir'. This is a good thing. Should this trend continue, we will soon call the deputy prime minister 'Pak Najib'.

The Malays must remember that Umno is the mother for all Malays. You cannot deny that all Malays have benefitted from Umno even if they're not from Umno or belong to other political parties.

[The proceedings in the morning were adjourned for a lunch break at 12.30pm and the debate on economic and education issues resumed at 2.30pm.]