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It's a life-and-death struggle
Published:  Mar 26, 2009 1:40 PM
Updated: 7:43 AM

Outgoing Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi made his last speech at the party’s annual general assembly this morning. The following is an abstract of his 60-min address to the party delegates.

When Umno was established, I was a mere boy in primary school. Many members of my family, especially my grandfather, Abdullah Fahim, my father Ahmad Badawi and my mother Khailan Hassan were actively involved in the founding of Umno.

I observed various meetings and discussions, including the ones in my grandfather’s home and the Madrasah Daeratul Maarif Al-Wataniah although at that time, I did not truly understand much of what was being deliberated.

I am descended from founding fathers of Umno and I was exposed to the party’s struggle during my formative years. It is therefore inevitable that I would inherit the Umno spirit. As an adult, I later chose to join Umno, because I believed in the purity of its objectives and the worthiness of its cause.

I have held fast to an unflagging conviction that has prevented me from ever betraying Umno and has led me to steer clear from those who seek to destroy it. I have never denigrated Umno. I have never made offensive remarks about Umno. And certainly, I have never deserted Umno, even though there was a time when I was insulted by certain members of Umno.

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