PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has confidence that Malaysians can help Barisan Nasional win big in the next general election similar to the 2004 historical victory.

He also stated that the disaster of the March general election was a blessing in disguise, adding that there was a lesson to be learnt.

He suggested that if Malaysians could change their attitude, repeating the historical 2004 general election results was possible.

"I'm used to making history that leaders before me had not achieved.

"The 2004 general election was the best but the 2008 result was the worst which no leader before me had achieved," he said when addressing thousands of people from over 80 non-governmental organisations who came to show support for him here yesterday.

He received a memorandum from the NGOs promising support for his leadership as well as a compact disc of a song dedicated to him sung by Jamaludin Elias, better known as Nash, who was also a member of the organising committee for the gathering.

Abdullah also said he believed that he could help Malaysians, particularly Malays, change their attitude and work towards progress.

He said three or four years before former Umno president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's retirement, he had apologised in a party meeting stating that he could do many changes but not change the attitude of his race.

"I told myself that if I am destined to be the next leader, I would work towards that," he said.

In a special interview with Bernama and RTM Radio later, Abdullah said the plan for transition of power was expected to strengthen Umno solidarity, adding that he and Najib would work even harder to implement promises made in the general election

"I will not slow down. In fact, I have to do more now," he added.

Abdullah expressed his determination, to further strengthen Umno and garner the support of more of the people.

"We have to gain the confidence of the people," he said.