A few Bumiputra leaders have spoken of reducing or eliminating Affirmative Action. Abdullah Badawi, the former PM of Malaysia, in his maiden speech as UMNO President told the general assembly in 2004 "Let's not use the crutches for support all the time, the knee will become weak". Badawi went on to state that continued usage of crutches would eventually result in needing a wheelchair instead. However, Badawi did not dare to make any significant changes to the NEP. That is why most Malays have to be carried around in stretchers today.