KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has rejected suggestions that certain positions in the party should not be contested in the coming party election.
Such suggestions, he said, should not exist any longer in Umno if it wishes to remain relevant and make a return to appeal to the people. This mode of thinking, he said, was among the reasons why Barisan Nasional (BN), spearheaded by Umno, failed in the 14th General Election.
He said the idea was “nonsensical” as it sends out the wrong message to the people on Umno’s direction after GE14.
“I disagree with the idea that some positions should not be contested in the Umno elections this time around.
“I would be pleased if anyone supported me (for a position in the party) but all positions in Umno, for me or anyone else, must be contested.
“I feel the motion to not contest some positions is among the reasons why the people lost their faith in us, as if we have not opened democratic room for our members, so it’s best we stop this nonsense,” he said when met at Menara Dato’ Onn on Saturday.
Khairy was commenting on a Melaka Umno suggestion that the posts of President, Deputy President and Vice-President be given to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Khairy, and that they should not be contested.
Khairy’s rejection of the idea, however, differed from his policy speech at the Umno assembly in December, where he had opined that the President and Deputy President posts should not be contested in the party election.
Asked on whether it was time for him to mount a challenge on the President’s post, Khairy said there was plenty of time left to mull over what position will be contested in the election.
Meanwhile, Umno Supreme Council member, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, shared Khairy’s views in rejecting a ‘no contest’ approach for the party’s highest positions.
“Umno has to change as the grassroots have changed; why should we stop anyone who wishes to contest any position?
“I think it is time for Umno to change. Give room for anyone to contest. I disagree with the notion,” he said.