KEPALA BATAS, MALAYSIA - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he would continue contributing to Umno even after he steps down from the party's top post in March next year.

Making it clear that he would remain with the Kepala Batas Umno division, Abdullah said:

"Many people have asked me if this is going to be my goodbye speech to Kepala Batas.

"I told them how can I say goodbye to Kepala Batas?"

He said this in his opening remarks at the Kepala Batas Umno delegates' conference here yesterday.

Abdullah was return unopposed as the division chief after he was unanimously nominated by all 85 branches in the division.

In his speech, Abdullah said the Kepala Batas division had played an important role in the party.

He said it was in Kepala Batas that the date for the country's independence was determined and it was also here that a motion to uphold Islam as the country's official religion was passed.

"The idea to set up Wanita Umno and Umno Youth also originated here.

"We have a glorious history and are involved directly in strengthening the party."

Abdullah reminded members that the party would not succeed if its leaders are not sincere and lacked leadership qualities and integrity.

He said Umno would not be able to face challenges if the leaders' integrity was suspect or if they had weak personalities and lacked direction.

"What we need is a leadership that is responsible and able to steer and manage the party to make it strong and successful," he said, adding members should choose leaders wisely.