Umno Youth out to register members as voters

(The Star) SEGAMAT: Umno Youth has launched a campaign to encourage its members to register as voters so that they will be eligible to vote in the next general election.

The wing's deputy chairman, Khairy Jamaluddin, said he was confident of getting at least 70% of the members to register by the end of June.

“In Johor, a total of 30,110 Youth members have yet to register as voters. We will be going to every state and division to get them to do so,” he said.

Meanwhile, Khairy said Barisan National Youth will go to the ground in numbers to rally support for the Machap by-election in Malacca.

“It is a good chance for BN Youth to meet up with multiracial voters. It is different from Batu Talam where the majority of the voters are Malays.

“(In Machap), the voters are 40% Malays, 45% Chinese and 15% Indians. This can give us a clear indication of the support of other races for Barisan Nasional,” he said.

Khairy also announced the appointment of Fuad Tukirin as Johor Umno Youth secretary, replacing the late Abdul Ghauth Abdul Rahman, who died in a road accident during the Batu Talam by-election in January.

Fuad was formerly information chief of the state Youth wing. Khaled Mohamed, who is also Johor Umno Youth chief, takes over Fuad's post as information chief.

Khairy: PAS relocating voters

(The Star) KOTA BARU: Umno Youth vice chief Khairy Jamaluddin said PAS was trying to relocate its members from its strongholds to areas they considered no longer safe for the party.

He said PAS had begun to do that after the last general election.

Khairy urged the Election Commission and National Registration Department to investigate the matter.

Speaking to reporters after opening a programme to identify young voters organised by Kelantan Umno Youth here yesterday, he said changing addresses was not in breach of election regulations but was “very unfair” because it was done for the sole purpose of winning an election.

Khairy also said that Kelantan Umno Youth must ensure that at least 60% of the 150,000 members who had registered as voters cast their votes in the next general election.

If the 60% target was achieved, Barisan Nasional would be able to take over the state government from PAS in the next general election, he said.

Cash for appointments claims ridiculous, says Khairy

(The Star) KUALA LUMPUR: Ridiculous! That's how Khairy Jamaluddin describes the allegations that people had to pay to get an appointment with him.

The Prime Minister's son-in-law said he had never employed “runners” to represent him to fix appointments in exchange for money.

“It's very easy to request for an appointment and in time you will get your appointment. There's no payment to be made for an appointment.

“It's ridiculous. Otherwise, I'd be charging people myself to meet me. It's stupid (to pay money for an appointment),” he told reporters at the Kongres Jihad Ekonomi (The Economic Struggle Congress) yesterday.

During the question-and-answer session, a participant, Mohammed Abdullah, who called himself a “failed businessman,” said he had been trying to meet the Umno Youth deputy chief for two years and one of his (Khairy's) runners had asked for RM150,000 to fix an appointment.

Khairy said he had no idea who the so-called runner was, adding that he had not received even a sen from the appointments.

When met by reporters, Khairy disclosed that a lot of people claimed to have easy access to him and “all that stuff.”

One guy, he said, had even falsely represented himself as his (Khairy's) representative wanting to do business.

“I threatened to take him to court. I always tell people if they have any information of people representing me, or any other politician for that matter, they must always take down their names and approach us so that we can take action,'' he added.

Not a done deal yet

(The Star) THE relationship between Umno Youth politicians Khairy Jamaluddin and Datuk Norza Zakaria had its ups and downs in the past. But things have been on a more even keel over the last few months, particularly after Khairy attended Norza’s Wangsa Maju Youth AGM last September.

At the AGM, Norza pledged his support for Khairy and presented the Umno Youth deputy chief with a huge portrait of Khairy and his wife Nori Abdullah, painted by a well-known artist in KL’s Central Market.

Just recently, Agendadaily.com – a news portal focused on Umno politics – featured Norza as a key contender for the post of Umno Youth chief.

Thus, when Khairy and Norza met at their riding club last weekend, Khairy teased him: “Wa, ketua Pemuda Umno!”

Norza's equally jokey response was: “I'm just the reserve candidate, in case you want to stay on as No.2.”

Actually, Norza, who is political secretary to the Finance Minister II, was not joking.

He is interested in the top post but only if Khairy does not go for it. He does not want to fight Khairy whom he used to describe as “my brother.”

More pertinent, he knows he will not stand much of a chance against Khairy.

Khairy, who turned 31 earlier this month, is already seen as the would-be successor to Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein Onn within the Youth wing.

Hishammuddin, who has headed the wing since 1999, has not said it outright but has indicated in private that he feels he has accomplished what he set out to do when he took over a fragmented wing from Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Education Minister reckons he has put the wing back on track, united the factions and restored the morale of members. His supporters want him to contest one of the three vice-president posts.

These are still early days except that in Umno it is never too early to prepare for contest, especially for a post as powerful as Umno Youth leader.

Some in the Youth wing say that the post is as good as Khairy's. And this is in spite of the fact that the past year has been a terrible and fiery path for Khairy. He was the subject of intense rumours and speculation and a target of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s censure against the Abdullah administration.

The pressure was overwhelming and his emotions rippled close to the surface when he addressed some of these issues at the string of Umno divisional meetings he attended in September last year.

“He was taken aback when he realised that people believed the stuff being said. He was furious at first but has learnt to deal with it, even to joke about it.

“I told him (there was) no point in banging tables and getting worked up,” said Umno Youth secretary and loyalist Datuk Rahman Dahlan.

Khairy seems to have survived the heat.

Still, is the Umno Youth post really a done deal for him? After all, there is Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, who is seemingly disinterested but very much in the reckoning.

And there is Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, somewhat damaged by his father's actions but in no way to be written off.

“It’s not his for the taking but Khairy is the best candidate in sight,” said political insider Rohana Mahmood.

Khairy, Dr Khir and Mukhriz are the three serious contenders. The other names like Norza, Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin (Beseri assemblyman), and Datuk Azimi Daim (Umno Youth information chief) are thrown in more for conversation's sake.

“The Youth wing is ready to accept Khairy as the next leader. Say what you like about him, he has made an impact,” Norza admitted.

Zesty and ambitious

Khairy had stood out from the day he went into Umno Youth and not just because his father-in-law is Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

That he is several notches above others in the Youth wing was obvious from his understanding of national and global issues and the way he articulated them.

He has turned out to be an impressive orator and has energy and zest about his politics. Even now, those much more experienced than him are in awe of his ability.

Rohana recalled watching Khairy at the Asia Inc Forum in Jakarta last year where he was one of four speakers debating the relevance of Asean. The others were a former foreign minister, a senior economist and an economic journalist.

“He spoke so intelligently, he outshone the others. He really held the audience captive,” said Rohana.

At times, he is too unconventional for the taste of the average Umno person.

“Khairy has a lot of ideas and he is very passionate about his politics. He really wants to contribute; it's not just about being ambitious. But because he is a non-conformist and his ideas are sometimes too far ahead, people misunderstand him,” said Rahman.

But Khairy lost much of his shine with people outside the party over his stand on the NEP and controversial remarks about non-Malays taking advantage if Umno is weak.

Some in the party resent his relationship with the Prime Minister and think he has used it to move up too quickly. They also find him too ambitious for comfort.

Being the Prime Minister's son-in-law, he has learnt, can be a double-edged sword.

Can the Umno rank and file accept a scenario where the father-in-law is the party president and the son-in-law the Umno Youth chief?

Khairy is not unaware of the sentiments on the ground.

Said Rahman: “He knows that because of the relationship any contest for the top post may not be easy. Not everybody feels comfortable with it but he is working doubly hard to win over his sceptics.”

Khairy knows he has to overcome the perception of conflict of interest, and prove that Umno Youth can stay effective under him. He wants to take Umno Youth to a new, and more thinking, level.

It explains why he has been making his presence felt on the ground. For instance, he was in Kota Tinggi on Monday, going around the deluged town in a rubber dinghy, his jeans folded up to his knees like a fisherman. By evening he was in Batu Talam to prepare for the by-election's nomination the next day.

A great deal of politics is about perception and Khairy will have to continue working very hard.

“Khairy's an exceptional person but people are still not sure what he's made of. They are watching closely and he will have to prove that he is his own man,” said Rohana.

From reality show to reality

(The Star) WHAT started as purely an entertaining and fun project has become a serious endeavour for Khairy Jamaluddin and his team.

MyTeam began as a reality show to unearth new football talents nationwide.

Today, the fledgling MyTeam has garnered support from many quarters. They have teamed up with UPB and have already made an early impact in the M-League.

Khairy, who is also MyTeam team manager, said it was never their intention to play in the M-League.

“When the show was introduced, our aim was to identify potential football players among our country’s youngsters. It was also to provide opportunities for untapped young talents. We were overwhelmed by the response and the interest shown by the public was motivating.

“The participants’ positive feedback was also encouraging and the journey we undertook was exciting at every stop,'' recalled Khairy.

The reality show became a big hit and culminated in MyTeam playing against the National Under-20 side at a packed National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

MyTeam went down 1-2 to the national squad, but the inexperienced youngsters were praised for their gallant and gutsy game.

Soon, there were calls and suggestions for MyTeam to feature in the M-League.

After overcoming several obstacles, MyTeam teamed up with UPB FC and the partnership resulted in the formation of UPB-MyTeam FC.

Fifteen players discovered through the reality programme were given the opportunity to play for UPB-MyTeam.

Several seasoned players including national skipper Khaironissam Shahbuddin Hussain, Mohamed Harris Sawfan Kamal, Mohamed Faizal Abdul Rashid and Yosri Dermarajoo were roped in.

Croatian Bojan Hodak was signed as the coach while former internationals Khan Hung Meng and Abdul Rashid Hassan are the assistant coaches. UPB-MyTeam also signed up Croatians Mijo Dadic and Marin Mikac to beef up the team.

But despite the strong line-up, Khairy has a modest target in the M-League – to maintain their place in the Premier Division.

Despite their involvement in the M-League, Khairy said they would not forget their original mission – to unearth new talents and promote football.

“We also have plans to hold the second season of the reality show this year.

“There is also an invitation to initiate the same programme in Indonesia. It is going to a pretty exciting year for MyTeam,” added Khairy.

From just a reality programme, MyTeam's journey has become real.

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Khairy Jamaluddin in the spotlight of 2006

What a year for Khairy Jamaluddin, the famous son-in-law. 2006, is truly a great year for Khairy.

(The Star) It has not been the best of years for Umno. The party was rattled by the attacks launched by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, while the ultra-Malay tone of the general assembly in November raised the level of discomfort among those watching on. But the party held together well despite the storm. JOCELINE TAN takes a look at some of the events and personalities in Umno that made the headlines in 2006

Khairy Jamaluddin continued to make the news – for things he did as well as for things that he did not.

Such is the celebrity and controversy that surrounds this 30-year-old Umno Youth deputy leader.

He made the news for note-worthy events such as a reality football show that culminated in his MyTeam playing a show-match against the national team to his buying a multi-million ringgit stake in ECM Libra.

The first was noteworthy in the sense that Khairy and his friends managed to pull off a show that was entertaining and, well, real at the same time. It was great seeing young people doing their best at something they loved.

The second marked his entry into the corporate world. Unfortunately, his plans unravelled before the year was out and he has since sold his stake in what is now known as ECM Libra Avenue.

The spotlight on the aspiring politician has never been as hot because it was trained on him by no less than former Premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

His supporters thought this talented Oxford graduate was being unfairly singled out but his detractors who thought of him as a young upstart said he deserved it.

At one point, it seemed like there was no middle ground in public opinion about Khairy – you either admired him greatly or disliked him intensely.

People, even those who had never met him, were prepared to believe the worst about him, including the absurd rumour that he had named his MyTeam company after the actress of Pontianak fame Maya Karin and, worse, that she was his second wife. Even housewives were talking about him.

He kicked up a storm with remarks that non-Malays would take advantage of Umno if it was not united. Non-Malays did not take kindly to his scare-tactics and he will have to work hard to regain their respect.

But within the party, Khairy is viewed as jantan or macho, someone who voices core sentiments of the Malays.

For Khairy, the year 2006 has been one long baptism of fire.

He had to endure not only Dr Mahathir’s scathing remarks but also the power of public opinion.

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Khairy hits out at call to abolish NEP

(The Star) KHAIRY Jamaluddin hit out at Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for saying that the New Economic Policy (NEP) was no longer needed.

Without naming him, the Umno Youth deputy chief said there was a former deputy president who had said in an interview that the NEP was bad because only the cronies and the “Umnoputras” became rich from it.

“Pandai dia cakap (What cheek he has to speak). He was the greatest Umnoputra of all and a very rich one too,” he said in his winding up speech.

Since his release from prison, Anwar has said in a number of interviews that the NEP should be abolished and that all races should be given equal opportunities.

Khairy slammed the Asli (Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute) report that claimed Malay corporate equity had reached 45%.

“They are manipulating figures. If we want to use the Asli figures, let’s set a new target. Let’s make it 70% for the Malay equity,” he added.

He also slammed some government-linked companies (GLCs) which were said to treat Umno Youth members as beggars.

He told reporters later that the statement by a Penang delegate (that the Penang Malays are being neglected) was important for the Penang government led by Gerakan deputy president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to take stock of the situation and address the problems faced by the Malays in the state.

“The actual message is that the Malays are feeling dissatisfied in Penang and they have the right to express their feelings,” he said.
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Khairy back in spotlight

(The Star) LIKE it or not, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin will find himself back in the spotlight at next week’s general assembly.

Two years ago he was booed when he catapulted to the Youth’s number two post uncontested when no one – not even the very senior members in the movement – were willing to take on the son-in-law of the Umno president.

At last year’s assembly, he made an impressive turnaround.

A year of good, hard work with the grassroots won him their hearts and minds – and he was warmly applauded and cheered.

This year, Khairy is in an unenviable position.

The reason?

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who has come out with his guns pointing at the current leadership and administration, has put the 30-year-old Khairy in the line of fire.

The former Umno president and prime minister of 22 years had alleged that the famous son-in-law was all too powerful and influential, and even interfered with government business.

People with business proposals, he claimed, had to see Khairy to get approval – even though the Oxford graduate held no government position.

When questions were raised about ECM Libra’s acquisition of government-linked Avenue Capital Bhd, Khairy promptly sold his entire 10.2 million shares in ECM Libra for 65sen per share, suffering a loss of RM200,000 in so doing.

This, he said, was because he did not want the company’s reputation to be affected due to some quarters questioning the manner in which he bought the shares.

Khairy, married to Nori, the only daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, was also the brunt of gossip.

At an Umno Youth division meeting three months ago, Khairy had to dispel rumours that he was involved with actress Maya Karin.

He also ran into a spot with the MCA Youth wing not too long ago over his comment that if Umno were weak, non-Malay political parties in the Barisan Nasional would take advantage, and make demands.

So while the affable Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein will probably deliver – as always – a “safe” address without rocking the boat on Tuesday morning, it is Khairy’s winding-up speech at the end of the day that people will be waiting for.

Khairy is a polished speaker. The question is whether he will address the questions and attacks against him. Or will he ignore the criticisms and just move on?

This will depend largely on what the speakers say during the assembly.

Khairy: It is his winding-up speech at the end of the day that people will be waiting for.
“I think the Pemuda will be rational. They may speak passionately but I don’t think they will boo Khairy or chase him out of the hall,” said Youth secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

“He’s okay with all the divisions. He is collateral damage, only a bystander (in the Dr Mahathir’s attacks).”

To Abdul Rahman, the Dr Mahathir issue is probably the single most important issue for the party at the moment.

“It is unprecedented. There are leaders going for each other’s throat over it,” he said.

While all Umno Youth divisions have pledged unwavering support to Abdullah as party leader, some have stood on opposite poles with regards to Dr Mahathir.

When Dr Mahathir renewed his attacks against Abdullah after their meeting before Hari Raya, a Youth chief from Terengganu called on the former president to quit Umno, and the Kepala Batas Youth chief called for him to be stripped of his posts as advisor to Proton and Petronas.

This riled the PJ Utara Youth chief enough for him to call for a press conference to defend Dr Mahathir – only to postpone it at the eleventh hour because the Umno supreme council was meeting that very day to discuss the matter.

Tension was somewhat defused when the supreme council decided that no action should be taken against Dr Mahathir. But emotions remain high.

Umno Youth has pledged not to gag their speakers – but told them they must maintain decorum.

“Differences in opinion are normal. It is to be expected. Speeches may be passionate but there should be no name-calling,” Abdul Rahman said.

“Criticisms can be made in a dignified manner. People can do it in all sorts of ways – through kias (metaphors), pantun, sajak, syair (forms of poetry), for example.”

Another famous son in the Youth exco, Mukhriz Mahathir, will also be closely watched at the assembly.

He has understandably jumped to the defence of his father a number of times. He has repeatedly said that the questions his father had asked were not being answered.

With Dr Mahathir still recovering in hospital after a mild heart attack, speakers might go slow on bashing the former leader. But will they go easy on Khairy?

khairy jamaluddin nep umno tun mahathir mohamad

Khairy urged to prove sincerity

(The Star) PETALING JAYA: The MCA Youth has urged Khairy Jamaluddin to prove he has no intentions of hurting the feelings of the Chinese community.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said Khairy, who is the Umno Youth deputy chief, should also ensure he did not repeat remarks that would offend the community.

“We will continue to observe and will explain to the grassroots and listen to their views,” he told a press conference after launching the 8th Yamaha Balik Kampung Safety Campaign here yesterday.

If the grassroots were still dissatisfied with the explanation on Khairy’s statement, he said, the movement could always raise it at the Barisan Nasional Youth meeting.

“Problems cannot be solved in a single meeting. We need more time, sincerity and action to show that the statement of a particular person has been misconstrued before the truth can be revealed,” he said.

Several Barisan parties criticised Khairy for his remarks in August that non-Malay parties would take advantage of a weak Umno.

Liow said no one should be allowed to jeopardise racial harmony.

On whether he agreed that Khairy’s statement had been misinterpreted by the media, Liow said Khairy should straighten things out with the media himself.

He said the MCA Youth would work with other parties within the Barisan Youth movement to boost unity.

He said he had clearly voiced the views of the MCA's youth central delegates and the gravity of the matter.

“We have told him (Khairy) that his speeches had hurt the feelings of the Chinese and he (Khairy) told us that he never intended to do so.

On how Khairy should prove his sincerity, Liow said: “We will see.”

Earlier at the launch of the road safety campaign, Liow said he hoped the campaign, which provided a scientific explanation of dangerous situations, blind spots, the right way of wearing the helmet and using brakes, would educate and change the attitude of motorcyclists.

The campaign is jointly organised by the Malaysian Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers Association, Youth and Sports Ministry, Road Safety Department, Hong Leong Yamaha Motor, Litrak, P&O Insurance and KHI Helmet.

Starting yesterday, technicians from Hong Leong Yamaha Motor would be offering a free 15-point safety check for motorcycles at over six locations along highways in Ipoh, Penang, Johor, Malacca, Pahang and here.

Liow said the total number of accidents nationwide from January to August last year was 214,000, and it had risen to 222,000 this year.

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Khairy to wait for BN meeting to explain

(The Star) MALACCA: Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin will wait for a Barisan Nasional Youth meeting to be convened to explain a remark attributed to him that component parties would take advantage of the situation if Umno became weak.

Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein is expected to set the date for the meeting.

“I'll wait for the date and we will discuss with Barisan Youth on how to strengthen unity, co-operation and relationship,” he told reporters after opening the Tangga Batu Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri delegates conferences here yesterday.

He said the Barisan Youth meeting was the best forum to him to state the truth. “I don't want to discuss (the matter) in the newspapers because I know it's not constructive.”

Later speaking at the delegates meeting, Khairy said that a balanced income should be the party’s main agenda and there was no time for other petty issues.

“It has been 20 years and the nation is well developed in the industrial sector and others, but in comparison with the other races, Malays are still left far behind,” he said.

“We really want to see the improvement of the Malays, that’s why I voiced my suggestion,” he said, adding that the Government could consider studying the income gap among races.

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Khairy not bothered with hecklers at meeting

(The Star) KUALA LUMPUR: A group of hecklers, believed to be Umno members, tried to disrupt the Titiwangsa Umno divisional meeting here yesterday which was officiated by Umno deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

The hecklers, who were seated at the back of the hall where the meeting was held, started to shout five minutes after Khairy started to read his speech.

The group continued to interject Khairy during every sentence of his speech that lasted more than 30 minutes, but the latter was unperturbed and ignored the group's antics.

The hall reverberated in a chaotic manner the moment Khairy said in his speech that Mat Rempit (illegal motorcycle racers) only involved the Malays.

Later at a press conference, Khairy, who was asked about the disturbance, said it was a norm for Umno Youth members to get excited and that he had nothing to feel suspicious about.

On an unrelated matter, Khairy said he would get the cooperation of the Federal Territory Umno Youth chief Datuk Norza Zakaria to look into a matter where Malay traders at Keramat who have been waiting for Kuala Lumpur City Hall to build a proper market for the past 20 years.

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Khairy: I’ll not let Malays be social outcasts

(The Star) KUALA SELANGOR: It is Umno Youth's responsibility to protect the party from internal threats as well as to ensure that Malay youths do not succumb to social ills.

Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin said the onus was also on the Youth wing to bring young Malays into the party fold.

Khairy said there were certain quarters which undermined Malay youths by saying that they were social outcasts for being involved in unhealthy activities like illegal racing, drugs and promiscuity, among others.

“I will personally not let that happen,” Khairy said in his speech after opening the Kuala Selangor Umno Youth delegates meeting last night.

He also said it was not necessary to apologise for protecting the party, religion, race and country.

Khairy said that Umno Youth would fight to ensure that the Malays were not left behind when the country becomes a developed nation by the year 2020.

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.

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BN Youth to hold protest at KLCC

(The Star) PUTRAJAYA: Umno Youth will hold a protest at the KLCC Mosque today against Israel's military action in Lebanon and Palestine.

The protest will be led by Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin and will include youth leaders from the other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties.

Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said protests would continue as long as Israeli action in Lebanon and Palestine persisted.

“We want the Lebanese and Palestinians to know we are with them,” he said after chairing the ministry's post-Cabinet meeting yesterday.

Last Friday, more than 2,000 Umno Youth members marched to the American, French and Chinese embassies and the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur to protest against the Israeli action.

Hishammuddin said BN Youth leaders would also be travelling to various countries in the region to create awareness of Israel's military action in Lebanon and Palestine.

Dr M: I want answers

(The Star) KUALA LUMPUR: Stressing that he is not picking a fight with Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi or the Government, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he merely wants answers to questions on certain policies ditched by the current administration.

The former premier said his questions need not necessarily be answered by the Prime Minister, but could be replied to by the relevant ministers.

Dr Mahathir singled out four issues: the Government’s decision to scrap the Johor bridge, the sale of MV Agusta, the issuance of Approved Permits (AP) for car imports, and why Proton Holding Bhd chief executive officer Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Ariff’s contract was not renewed.

“I am not fighting with the Prime Minister,” he told reporters after delivering his keynote address at the International Islamic Fair conference here yesterday.

“I only do not agree with certain things that had been done. And I want to know why. I have no problem with the Government. I have problems with the things that had been done.”.

He was responding to the Cabinet ministers’ reaction to his outburst on Wednesday, when he accused the Abdullah administration of dismantling many of his policies and project ”I’m interested in finding answers to why Agusta was sold to an Italian company with a two-Euro capital. Why do you sack a chief executive officer (of Proton) who has been managing well and made the company profitable? And why appoint somebody who made it unprofitable, and lose RM500mil?

“Why was the (Johor) bridge not built when work had already started and it was already agreed to by the Cabinet and when Singapore was not complaining? “Instead, the focus is Dr Mahathir should keep his mouth shut.”

He said he had written questions to the relevant authorities, including the Proton management and Securities Commission but had yet to get answers.

“Why did they sack Tengku Mahaleel? What is his fault? They should explain. I am the adviser,” he said.

“I want to know why the ongoing project was ditched. Is it because of a lack of funds? As far I know, there is money. “That’s why I asked, but some people say Dr Mahathir should not speak. He has retired; he should go back and sleep.”

On Abdullah’s reaction, Dr Mahathir said: “I am happy that he said that it is my right to speak. Yes, very good. Thank you very much. So now I’m speaking because he said I have the right to speak; but some others said I have no right to speak.”

Dr Mahathir also expressed disappointment that some ministers who were also in his Cabinet were questioning his right to criticise instead of answering his questions.

“What is disappointing is that instead of explaining, all the talk is whether I have been right in making the criticism, whether I’m following the Umno tradition,” he said. “Maybe they don’t have answers, that is why they try to demonise me or try to make me appear very bad. “Apparently, from the way ministers invariably support everything the Prime Minister says, there cannot be much debate in the Cabinet.

“Two days before, they say we will build the bridge. When the Prime Minister said we would not build the bridge, everybody said we would not build the bridge. I am a bit sad.

“I raised questions, none has been explained. Instead, they say Dr Mahathir should not speak like that. He has no right as an ex-prime minister ... should go back and sleep, not disturb people. “Every time I say something, the same people or members of the Cabinet will give their standard comments.

“I say something today, I’m quite sure you will ask the ministers to say something. These were my Cabinet ministers. Before, they agreed with me.”

Asked whether he would continue to speak out on government policies and decisions, he replied: “If there is anything wrong, I claim the right to ask questions. Or is it that we cannot ask questions?”

Asked whom he meant when he said the Government came under the “influence of people with an agenda”, he replied: “A lot of people talk about it. I don’t dare to tell. You will ask others to comment 'Why Dr Mahathir say like that?’”

Asked his opinion of Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin, he replied: “He is (Abdullah's) son-in-law.

You want to fish for information so that I will react. You are trying to get me into a controversy. I understand that Khairy is the son-in-law. That’s all.”

On Tengku Razaleigh's call to Abdullah and Dr Mahathir to meet to resolve the issue, as the controversy might split Umno, he said: “I think he is competent to make such a remark because once upon a time, he challenged me.

“When he lost, he formed a new party, he split the party. He knows about it, that’s why he is advising me not to do that.

“Just like Tun Musa Hitam. He said that (what I did) was not in keeping with party tradition because, once before, he also made that mistake. Now he wants to warn me not make the same mistake.”

Asked whether he had posed his questions to Abdullah when they met in Japan recently, Dr Mahathir said: “It was a 10-minute meeting. He was talking about a lot of things; I was listening.”

khairy jamaluddin prime minister abdullah ahmad badawi malaysia umno youth mahathir mohamad

Khairy: All must abide by decisions

(The Star) KUALA LUMPUR: There is no room in Umno Youth for leaders to make statements contrary to decisions taken by its executive council, said the movement’s deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

Umno Youth, he said, operated on consensus and any decision made would be binding on all of its executive council members.

“An exco member may have his own opinion on any issue but once a decision has been made, he is duty-bound not to make statements that are contrary to that decision as that can cause confusion among the grassroots.

“That’s what is called collective responsibility which has always been the practice in Umno Youth,” he said in response to Umno Youth executive council member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir’s recent statement urging the Government to re-open negotiations with Singapore over the aborted bridge project and other issues.

Khairy said the movement had to issue a disclaimer over Mukhriz’s statement to ensure that the public was aware that the latter’s statement was not representative of Umno Youth’s stand on the bridge issue.

Speaking at a forum in Johor Baru last week, Mukhriz had said the Government should have continued with the bridge negotiations even if the matter had to be brought before the International Court of Justice.

Umno Youth, at its executive council meeting on April 14, had supported the Cabinet’s decision to cancel the project.

Asked whether Mukhriz was present during the meeting, Khairy said: “The answer to that is no, he was not. However, whether he was present or not is not the issue as all exco members are duty-bound to stand by our collective decision.

“Otherwise, I can decide not to attend a meeting and be absolved of the responsibility to stand by the exco’s decision.”

Khairy said all members could give their views on all matters brought before the executive council.

But once a decision had been taken based on consensus, it was everyone’s responsibility to stand by it as a mark of unity and solidarity, he said.

khairy jamaluddin prime minister abdullah ahmad badawi malaysia umno youth

ECM Libra sues Husam over articles

(The Star) KUALA LUMPUR: Financial advisory firm ECM Libra Bhd has sued PAS vice-president Husam Musa for libel over his two articles on Khairy Jamaluddin’s purchase of a stake in the company.

Also sued is Edisi Prima Sdn Bhd, the publisher of harakahdaily.net which carried the articles.

In the suit dated Jan 17, ECM Libra claimed that the articles published on Dec 29 last year and Jan 9 this year had defamed the deputy Umno Youth chief.

The first article was titled Bagaimana Khairy Membeli Saham ECM Libra (How Khairy Bought ECM Libra Shares) while the second article, Surat Saman ECM Libra Tidak Akan Hentikan Saya – Husam (ECM Libra’s Letter Of Demand Will Not Stop Me – Husam), had allegedly aggravated the damages suffered earlier.

Khairy is ECM Libra Capital Director of Corporate Advisory.

It was announced to Bursa Malaysia last Dec 27 that he bought a 3% stake in the broker and boutique investment house.

It was also announced that Khairy bought about 13 million shares in the firm in separate transactions from ECM Libra chairman Datuk Kalimullah Masheerul Hassan, chief executive officer Lim Kian Onn and chief operating officer Chua Ming Huat.

ECM Libra is seeking a full and unqualified retraction of the articles on the Net and four major dailies, plus damages.

Yesterday, High Court Justice Tee Ah Sing fixed April 20 to hear an inter-parte application for the injunction.

khairy jamaluddin prime minister abdullah ahmad badawi malaysia ecm libra

Khairy, Fernandes in global leaders list

(The Star) PUTRAJAYA: Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin has joined the ranks of 200 Young Global Leaders to watch out for.

Other Malaysians on the list are banker CIMB Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Nazir Razak, AirAsia chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes and Genting Bhd head of strategic investments Justin Leong.

The leaders, all under 40, were chosen by a committee led by Queen Rania of Jordan, from among 3,500 candidates in 50 countries.

It aims to pinpoint individuals of outstanding leadership from every region and sector in the world. They must also have shown commitment in serving their community.

The selections were endorsed by World Economic Forum (WEF) executive chairman Professor Klaus Schwab.

The WEF is the sister organisation to the Forum of Young Global Leaders.

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