KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 – Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has pleaded for acceptance from his critics, pointing out that he has been elected democratically to the post.
The Rembau MP’s victory over his two rivals has been a source of controversy, with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad accusing him of money politics to secure the win.
The former party president’s son Datuk Mukhriz came out last in the race.
“This is the model of democracy that we have in Umno for this period, and that is election through delegates,” Khairy told reporters in response to the criticism.
“Unless there is a amendment in the party’s constitution to allow one vote for one member, then this is the way and this was the decision and we all accept the decision. We all plead and ask all members of Umno Youth to accept this decision,” said the son-in-law of just-retired party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Dr Mahathir has been at odds with his successor and Khairy after he retired in 2003, accusing them of undermining his legacy.
Khairy’s strong win over Mukhriz prompted Dr Mahathir to boycott the Umno general assembly this year, saying he would not want to be with “a corrupt organisation”.
Unfazed by the strong criticism in Dr Mahathir’s blog and Mukhriz’s supporters, Khairy said members of the executive council have agreed that they must remain united and are ready to put away their differences.
“All exco members have guaranteed that they will help me as the head of Umno Youth. Therefore, I respect the opinion of other parties, especially by our former party president, but the excos are ready to look forward,” he explained.
He gave assurance that there was no split among the executive committee and that he had the support of all members especially his deputy, Datuk Razali Ibrahim.
“My first priority is to ensure that among the elected members of the executive committee of Umno Youth, there is commonality of purpose, solidarity, and a team spirit that we can commit ourselves to today,” he said, adding Razali will also lead the movement’s election machinery for the Bukit Selembau and Bukit Gantang by-elections.
“We have assigned the excos, who will be in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selembau full time. We have also decided that we will focus on the young voters in by-elections.”
He also emphasised that he would be asking for advice from both losing rivals, Datuk Seri Khir Toyo and Mukhriz.
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