Khairy the best candidate for Youth chief post?

“... he is the best candidate to replace Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein as the movement's leader..."

No, I didn’t say that. You gotta be kidding. Someone else did. He is Negri Sembilan Youth chief Datuk Jamlus Aziz.

Remember what Khairy Jamaluddin, the son-in-law, said about contesting for the number one Youth post at the party’s polls in December?

He’s waiting for feedback, he said, and whatever it is”we must elect the best leaders who can continue to effectively lead Umno.”

Ahaa. I knew it. I knew that statement he made was meant for him and for his “men” to respond. Now we have two of them – apple polishers - who think Khairy is the best candidate for the post.

Datuk Jamlus said that Khairy was the best candidate to replace Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein as the movement's leader.

"We will lose out if Khairy is not elected as the Youth chief as he has been groomed to lead the movement. Other than his loyalty to the party, Khairy is also a capable leader," he was quoted as saying to Bernama.

Perak Umno Youth chief Zainol Padzi Paharudin parrot-ed Jamlus: that Khairy was the best candidate to lead the movement as he had shown the leadership traits in his present capacity.

Zainol Padzi said Khairy had proven that he was a leader of calibre, and an effective and loyal deputy to Hishammuddin.

"It will be a waste of his talents if it is not nurtured and polished," he said in a statement yesterday.

Zainol Padzi said Khairy had proven his capability and leadership ability when he led the Umno election machinery in several by-elections, put his skills to good use in thwarting criticisms and did not cow under pressure.

As Khairy had cultivated rapport with Umno Youth divisions, Zainol Padri said the Umno Youth vice-chief would be able to forge closer relationship with the grassroots.

"Khairy is courageous and ferocious in defending the New Economic Policy and Malay rights in line with Umno Youth principles and struggles," said Zainol Padzi.

So far only Dr Mohamad Khir and Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir had announced that they would go for the Umno Youth chief post.

In meantime, former Selangor Menteri besar said he had no objection to Khairy vying for the top post.

"Umno is a democratic party. We can offer ourselves for the post, it's up to members to choose whom they feel should be given the mandate to rehabilitate the party," Dr Mohamad Khir told a press conference here yesterday.

On calls that he should give close attention to Selangor politics rather than contesting the post, Dr Mohamad Khir said the new Selangor Umno liaison committee chairman Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib was entrusted with the responsibility, although he would continue to assist him.

Dr Mohamad Khir said he felt that his experience would put him in good stead to bring the youths closer to the top leadership as there was a big gap between them.

He said more dialogues with the youths should be held to enable them to voice their pent-up feelings.

Dr Mohd Khir, who is blogger now and whose blog has touched more than 180,000 hits since starting on March 28, said most of them wanted Umno to listen to what they have to say with an open heart.

Bernama has the story here.