UMNO Youth Deputy Chief says he does not influence government decisions

(Channel News Asia) MALAYSIA: Attention during this UMNO General Assembly has also been on the new generation of UMNO leaders and the possible role they may play in Malaysian politics.

One person, who has been in the spotlight lately, is Khairy Jamaluddin, the son-in-law of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.

Khairy, better known as 'KJ', has been a key target of Dr Mahathir Mohamad's recent anti-government criticisms.

The former leader has relentlessly accused the 30-year-old Oxford-trained lawyer of influencing government decisions.

A claim which Khairy, who was formerly the special assistant to Prime Minister Abdullah, has adamantly denied.

"I don't influence. I don't seek and I don't want to influence the Prime Minister," he said.

"I draw a line personal, private, professional and political line with the Prime Minister. Yes, he's my father-in-law but there has to be a line. There has to be "Chinese walls" even within the household, otherwise there can be lots of conflicts of interests."

For a man who once said his aspiration is to be Prime Minister before he turns 40, Khairy certainly raised many eyebrows when he joined UMNO eight years ago.

While his every move is closely watched by many, his future lies with the party support, and he knows that is something he cannot have overnight.

"I've learnt since coming into politics, you cannot plan too much. You have to focus on your work, focus on the day and hopefully you can deliver," the Deputy Chief said.

Married to the Prime Minister's only daughter, Nori Abdullah, Khairy who is the number two man in UMNO Youth, has been trying to promote himself through other means.

He denied that the on-going feud between his father-in-law and Dr Mahathir has split the ruling party.

"Of course the party is restless, because this is somebody we respect, our former President picking a fight with the current President whom we also respect, and that raises some concerns.

"But it hasn't reached the point and I don't think it will reach a point where it's going to split UMNO. UMNO today is very unified, very united, very committed towards the leadership," he insisted.

Political analysts were also generally in agreement.

As for critics who called Mr Abdullah a one-term Prime Minister, observers said the verdict is still out.

Professor Zakaria Ahmad, a Political Analyst, said: "He's a feel-good Prime Minister. He still enjoys popular support among the Malays and also the Non-Malays. In that sense, I don't see him being pulled away by the current.

"But if those other things he was criticised for gain support from various groups within the ruling party, this might mean he might not go beyond the present term he's in." - CNA/so

khairy jamaluddin nep umno tun mahathir mohamad

Malaysia's coalition embroiled in row triggered by PM's son-in-law

(Channel News Asia) KUALA LUMPUR : Malaysia's ethnic Chinese party pledged its support for the dominant UMNO Sunday after the ruling coalition was rocked by a row triggered by the prime minister's controversial son-in-law.

Khairy Jamaluddin, 30, a businessman and ambitious emerging politician, has already been forced to deny that he is the power behind the throne in the face of concerns about his influence over Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

In the latest upset, Khairy caused uproar in the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) by saying that if the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) became weak other parties could seize the opportunity to make demands.

Khairy, who is the deputy leader of UMNO's influential youth wing, said this could lead to instability in the multi-ethnic National Front coalition.

The balance of power between the races is an extremely sensitive issue in Malaysia, where the population is dominated by Muslim Malays living alongside ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.

MCA members have demanded an apology from Khairy, saying that the party had always stood firm behind its coalition partner and that his comments had hurt the feelings of the Chinese community.

In a bid to lessen the row, Abdullah said Sunday at MCA's annual general assembly that all parties should stop raising sensitive issues related to religion and race.

"Do not create a situation that can lead to difficulties. Difficulties will make everyone apprehensive," the premier said in an opening speech.

He said that any attempt to amend controversial articles in the constitution related to race would "cause a storm if left unchecked".

The MCA also attempted to calm the issue, pledging its support for UMNO's role as the linchpin of the coalition.

"MCA, as the political representative of the Chinese community, would want to see a stable and strong UMNO," president Ong Ka Ting told the assembly. "We stand by together and provide support."

khairy jamaluddin umno malaysia pm abdullah ahmad badawi

Khairy: I lost RM200,000

(The Star) KUANTAN: Deputy Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has revealed that he suffered losses amounting to RM200,000 when he sold his shares in ECM Libra Avenue Bhd.

He said he disposed the shares in the interest of the company, minority shareholders and the Government.

“I do not want the company’s reputation to be affected due to some quarters questioning the manner in which I purchased the shares and as one of its shareholder.

“Frankly, I received no less than three offers to buy over my shares. One is from a government-owned company, another from an international company while a Chinese businessman offered a very profitable sum.

“I rejected the first offer as people will claim that it was a government bailout to rescue me while the subsequent offers will see the shares falling into the hands of outsiders and non-bumiputras.

“I will not let that happen and will rather suffer losses as long as the shares remain in the hands of our people.”

He told this to reporters after opening the Paya Besar Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri division meetings at the Agro Semuji Resort near here yesterday.

Khairy said he would concentrate on politics for now as there was a lot of work and challenges ahead that needed his attention.

On Friday, Khairy sold his entire stake of 10.2 million shares in ECM Libra Avenue, representing 1.23% of the company, for 65 sen a share.

He had bought the shares at 71 sen a share in December last year.

ECM Libra Avenue chairman Datuk Kalimullah Hassan Masheerul Hassan had also reduced his stake in the company to 40 million shares or 4.8%.

The 26,467,220 shares belonging to Khairy and Kalimullah were bought by Hikkaya Jaya Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of AmcorpGroup Bhd, for a total of RM17.2mil.

In Kepala Batas, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said his son-in-law had told him the reason for selling his shares in ECM Libra Avenue.

“These are his shares, not mine. I cannot comment further. He only informed me,” he added.

khairy jamaluddin prime minister abdullah ahmad badawi malaysia ecm libra