Mr Abdullah, who is also the Umno president, said that as such, he felt responsible for making the best efforts to rehabilitate BN and Umno.

'I feel I am the reason for the spoilt votes for the Barisan Nasional. And I feel responsible to do what's best to rehabilitate the BN and Umno,' he told reporters here on Friday after attending a meeting with the Johor Umno Liaison Body headed by Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, who is also the Johor Menteri Besar.

Also present at the meeting were International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Umno vice-president, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Mr Abdullah said he understood that many changes promised to the people earlier had not been fulfilled by the government until now.

These include improving the the judicial system, eradication of corrupt practices, reducing the crime rate and promoting inter-racial relations in the country, he said.

But he said the changes implemented by the government needed time before they could show positive results.

'As such, I will continue to give emphasis to bring the changes promised to the people. In fact, they had already been included in the pledges of the BN government in the election manifesto in 2004,' he said.

Mr Abdullah said since 2004, he had endeavoured to tackle the major financial deficit, economy, development and reforms in government-linked companies.

On the meeting, Mr Abdullah said they had a frank discussion on issues affecting the party.

He added that the Johor Umno also submitted several proposals to revive the party but he declined to elaborate.

Speaking to reporters later, Abdul Ghani pledged that Johor Umno will continue supporting Abdullah as party president and prime minister.

On the leadership succession, Mr Ghani made it clear that this should be done after the party elections. -- BERNAMA