KUALA LUMPUR, 26 March 2009: Foreign delegations and observers found common ground today in complimenting the peaceful power transition between outgoing Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Tan Sri Prof Dr Da’i Bachtiar said the voluntary transfer of power was very unique and “I believe this is a good thing.”
“Abdullah, as the party’s top leader sets a very good example to younger members of the party, especially on how he climbed the political ladder without asking or expecting anything other than to fulfil his desire to serve,” Dr Da’i told to reporters on the sidelines of the Umno general assembly here today.
Kazakhstan’s Member of Parliament and International Affairs, Defence and Security Committee Chairman Nurbakh Rustemov also found to his delight that the nation’s transition of premiership was unlike any other he has experienced before.
“The transition of power in Malaysia is not a transition from one party to another but within party bounds and yet it is still very democratic.
“It is very interesting to see how so many members live by the party motto of ‘Bersatu, Bersetia, Berkhidmat’ (Unity, Loyalty, Service) and even after retiring they remain loyal members,” said Rustemov, also a member of Kazakhstan’s ruling party Nur-Otan.
Rustemov also voiced his hope for greater bilateral trade and economic relations between Malaysia and Kazakhstan under future Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s leadership.
“We expect greater enhancement in our relations. We also would like to have greater inter-party relations between Kazakhstan’s political parties and Umno and we extend our warmest invitation to Umno to send a delegation to the Nur-Otan’s 12th Congress and our 10th anniversary on 15 May,” he told Bernama.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President’s political adviser Nimer Hammad found the experience at the Umno General Assembly to be a great democratic experience.
He believed that Umno’s unity and peaceful leadership transition would help the nation’s future development.
Cuban Embassy’s first secretary Batista Florentino said that the smooth transition of power could only mean well for the nation as a whole.
On Umno’s desire for change, Florentino said he believed Umno had the human capacity and structure to do so.
“The transformation, which fuses past strengths with new elements necessary for survival, lies with party members themselves,” he said, adding that in any case, changes were necessary in order to maintain validity. — Bernama
thirh says
I thought there was a very rowdy crowd from all the supporters? Is this white-washed reporting?
Tarchornis says
It’s a Bernama article, so no surprises there.