Friday 4 April 2008

Umno Youth: It’s Khir Toyo vs Mukhriz (updated)

Former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said he would be contesting for the Umno Youth chief position at the party elections in December, while Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir confirmed he is "eyeing" the post.

Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein on Thursday announced that he would not defend his post to make way for a new face after leading the movement for 10 years.

Dr Mohd Khir, who spoke to reporters at the Selangor Umno headquarters in SHAH ALAM on Friday, said he decided to contest for the position after receiving encouraging feedback from the party’s youth members, the Star reports.

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“I have gathered feedback on whether I was viable to contest for the position and what I received was very good,” he said adding that he would not change his decision to contest if he continued to receive positive feedback.

Dr Mohd Khir added that the experience gained during his tenure as mentri besar and Barisan Nasional (BN) state chief was an added asset for him to lead the youth wing.

“I will be able to give the Umno youth movement a new dimension with my experience,” he said.

To a question if he would obtain the party leadership’s blessing as endorsement, Dr Mohd Khir said that anyone could contest for the post, as it was a vacated position.

When asked if he would come to an "agreement" with any other candidates vying for the same position, he said: “I will not compromise with any other candidate as this is an open competition in which anyone can contest.”

Mukhriz, an Umno Youth executive council member, said he would contest if he gets positive feedback from members.

“I leave it to the members to decide which post they feel is appropriate for me,” he said in JERLUN after presenting aid to 60 people whose houses were damaged in a recent thunderstorm.

Those vying for the top post in the wing need to get nominations from at least 20% of the 191 youth divisions.

Mukhriz also commended Hishammuddin for not endorsing any particular candidate as his successor.

“We are very encouraged by the fact that our chief did not state his preference ... allowing for an open contest is very healthy indeed for the wing and the party. And it is only fair to allow the Youth members to decide for themselves who they want as their leaders,” he said.

Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin has not indicated if he wanted to join in the fray. He had no comment when the Press contacted him after Hishammuddin's announcement.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Between a dictator's son & the poster boy for Botox.... can someone else step up, please ?

Pak Zawi said...

All I wanna see is for KJ to contest for a post and let us see if he can win any.

Hi&Lo said...

The original Umno had a purpose. But after it was made defunct by the court, Umno (Baru)has lost its grassroots appeal. It had become self-serving. Even the akar umbi joined with the motive of getting something rather than what they can give.

My friend told me how much he was getting as a delegate during Umno elections in KL. Money was floating in the air. Almost every candidate dished out ang pows. Free 5-star hotel accomodations and meals plus shopping thrown in.

Anonymous said...

Well, Roslina, there is another Pemuda UMNO guy who could contest. But the last time I saw him, he was being led away by the scruff of his neck from a certain UMNO gathering. And he's not heard of since!

If only we can locate him...ha-ha!

Anonymous said...

Go Mukhris, go, go, go,! I'm glad you're contesing.

As for that beruk Khairy, where is he? Why hasnt he commented? No balls?

Yes, I also want to see him contest for the post. Wah he thinks it is his by right.

Let's eee if he can win. Hahaha!

Anonymous said...

I dont understand why khir toyo is going for the Youth chief post.

It makes more sense if he was to go for a seat in the supreme council. After all, he garnered the highest number of votes in the last party election.

Why is he going for a lesser post, of which it is uncertain of winning?

As a leader he has already failed, having lost a state he led in the last GE.

I think it's a wrong move.