KUALA LUMPUR: Khairy Jamaluddin has struck back at Umno leader Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi for questioning his action to laud a move by several party members, who had lodged a complaint with the Registry of Societies (RoS) against Umno's latest decision to preserve its top two party post from being contested in the party polls.
Former Rembau member of parliament, who is also the former Umno Youth chief said Umno belonged to its members and any of its member could seek clarification with the RoS.
"Does Umno only belong to the top leaders? Umno belongs to all its members. Any member can ask RoS for clarification.
"We must respect any Umno member who wants clarity since the Rembau motion is very controversial with many legal experts questioning its validity.
"I support any Umno member that wants to clarify the validity of the Rembau motion," he said when contacted by New Straits Times, today.
Earlier, Puad, who is also an Umno supreme council member, said only Umno top officials should file the complaint, stating that only then the action would be considered as "brave".
He also told Khairy to not use his 'proxies', especially former ministerial officers to file the complaint.
"KJ praised the two (party) members for lodging a complaint with RoS as brave and sane. Were they brave or just being used?" Puad said.
Yesterday, two Umno members filed a complaint with the RoS over the motion for the posts of party president and deputy president to remain unchallenged in the party election.
The motion was proposed by Rembau Umno delegate Mohd Shukri Shamsudin during the debate on the party president's policy speech. It was seconded by Marang Umno chief Datuk Nik Dir Nik Wan Ku.