KUALA LUMPUR - The Malays already have an alternative to lean on in terms of a political party that would champion the issue of race and religion, said former Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.
He said that they no longer assume that these issues can only be championed by Umno, as they now have other choices.
Khairy said this is why for Umno to remain relevant, the party needed to open the top two posts to be contested in the party polls
"If Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wins then so be it, but there must be a mandate, without it how can we explain to the people especially the Malays that we want to bring change?
"Some Malays are now saying if you won't contest the president and deputy president position, you won't be brave enough to bring change, what change will you bring if you won't give the rights for members to choose a leader?" he said.
He added that he had no ill-intentions towards Umno, eventhough the party he loved had sacked him.
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Khairy said his friends in the Supreme Council had not defended him or voiced a disagreement towards his sacking.
"But that is the president's prerogative," he said at an Awani Agenda programme on Tuesday. - AWANI
He said that they no longer assume that these issues can only be championed by Umno, as they now have other choices.
Khairy said this is why for Umno to remain relevant, the party needed to open the top two posts to be contested in the party polls
"If Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wins then so be it, but there must be a mandate, without it how can we explain to the people especially the Malays that we want to bring change?
"Some Malays are now saying if you won't contest the president and deputy president position, you won't be brave enough to bring change, what change will you bring if you won't give the rights for members to choose a leader?" he said.
He added that he had no ill-intentions towards Umno, eventhough the party he loved had sacked him.
.
Khairy said his friends in the Supreme Council had not defended him or voiced a disagreement towards his sacking.
"But that is the president's prerogative," he said at an Awani Agenda programme on Tuesday. - AWANI