Khairy camp cries foul over Kimanis nomination

(Malaysiakini) Supporters of Umno Youth chief aspirant Khairy Jamaluddin are crying foul over the outcome of the Kimanis, Sabah, division meeting yesterday, where rival Mukhriz Mahathir won his first nomination for the wing's topmost post.

A Khairy supporter told Malaysiakini that between 45 to 50 supporters were barred from returning to the Membakut Community Hall near Papar, where the meeting to nominate the Youth top posts was being held.

The group had taken a break from the 12-hour long meeting to go for their Maghrib prayers. But when they returned, they were not allowed to re-enter the hall.

An election by a show of hands later took place, with Mukhriz capturing 51 votes and Khairy pulling 31.

“All the candidates want to see a respectable, democratic and friendly contest, which is why we hope Kimanis will be an isolated event. So far, it has been the only sad episode,” the supporter said.

“After all, our biggest concern is the next general election where Umno must convince young Malaysians to back Barisan Nasional, not fighting among ourselves.”

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Sabah Umno Youth backing for Khairy

Its head Datuk Japlin Akim said Khairy, who is the movement's vice-chief, had shown his leadership qualities that could appeal to the youths and help fulfil their aspirations.

Japlin, who is also Sabah Infrastructure Development Assistant Minister, said Khairy was also known as a knowledgeable and courageous leader, who was vocal in championing the rights and interests of youths.

"He is very friendly with the Sabah Umno Youth members who see no problem in voicing out their problems and needs.

"I believe that Khairy will be able to open the minds of youths towards achieving the national vision through solidarity as contained in the guideline to build camaraderie that he had outlined." he said.

Khairy had outlined three aspects of camaraderie to strengthen Umno Youth at all levels and to forge closer relations with BN Youth as well as with youths in general and non-governmental organisations run by youths. -- Bernama

Khairy: Anwar no threat

(The Star) SANDAKAN: An ongoing visit to Sabah by Keadilan adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is unlikely to affect the strong support for Barisan Nasional in the state, said Umno Youth.

Its deputy youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said the former deputy prime minister was a spent political force, noting that this was obvious in the recent Pasir Mas by-election where the people rejected him when he turned up to campaign.

“Anwar’s visit to any part of the country will not have any impact,” said Khairy who was among the Umno leaders at a Hari Raya Aidiladha gathering launched by Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman at Kampung Gum Gum, some 30km from this east-coast town yesterday.

Khairy said Anwar could be likened to an unwanted visitor in Sabah, which had become an unshakable Barisan base.

He was commenting on Anwar’s visits to Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Tawau to meet Keadilan leaders and members as well as representatives of certain community groups.

Three former Barisan state assemblymen, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Datuk Kong Hong Ming and Datuk Nahalan Damsal attended a talk on the New Economic Policy by Anwar as a visiting professor of the Washington DC-based Georgetown University.

The three denied they were set to join Keadilan.

Dr Jeffery who was involved in a leadership tussle in Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah five years ago, said he attended the event at the invitation of the Sabah United Chinese Women's Association.

“I want to keep in touch with Keadilan’s policies on Sabah,” said the younger brother of Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

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