KUALA LUMPUR, 18 March 2009: The warning issued by Umno’s disciplinary board yesterday to Umno Youth deputy head Khairy Jamaluddin over money politics did not give his opponent any added advantage in the fight for the Umno Youth chief post
The Jerlun Member of Parliament Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, who is contesting the post, said it would still see a three-way fight betweeen him, Khairy and the other aspirant, former Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.
Mohd Khir was also investigated by the board but found no wrongdoing on his part.
“I don’t think it is an advantage to me … in any competition there is bound to be a contest. Each of us has to convince the delegates why we should be chosen (to lead Umno Youth),” he told reporters at Parliament’s lobby today.
Mukhriz, who is also an Umno Youth executive committee member, added that he did not have a personal view on the board’s deliberations and that its decisions should be accepted by all.
Umno’s polls will be held during its general assembly from 24 to 28 March.
On another matter, Mukhriz said four heads of Umno Youth divisions in Selangor turning up today to testify before a Parliamentary select committee today showed Umno did not run away from its responsibilities.
The committee is investigating a complaint by DAP chairperson Karpal Singh, who is also the MP for Bukit Gelugor, that he was obstructed from entering the Dewan Rakyat by Umno Youth members on 26 Feb 26,
“The matter is in the hands of the committee now and I am confident it will make the right decisions,” he said.
A group of about 20 Umno Youth members had gathered at the side entrance of the Dewan Rakyat that day to seek clarification from Karpal Singh why he had uttered the words “celaka Umno Youth” (damn Umno Youth) in the Dewan Rakyat.
Karpal Singh used the words against the movement when he alleged that they were responsible for sending him two bullets in the mail for questioning the powers of the Sultan of Perak.
Karpal Singh has to use the side entrance to get into the Dewan Rakyat because he is wheelchair-bound. — Bernama
