State polls: Umno Youth not chosen to contest should not be discouraged
ZULHISHAM ISAHAK
JOHOR BAHRU - Umno leaders, especially the wing members who are not nominated to contest in the six states elections next month, are advised to not be discouraged.
Umno Youth vice-chairman Mohd Hairi Md Shah said they should not feel 'left out' but continue to support the party instead.
"Those who are not qualified should not be discouraged or feel left behind and the new youth leaders should not take strange steps, this is a strategic leadership arrangement," he said.
He said this in a press conference after the launching ceremony of the Johor State Level School Southern Volunteers Youth Squad at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato' Jaafar, here on Tuesday.
On Friday, BN introduced its candidates for the State LegislativeAssembly seats in the state elections in six states.
The states involved in the election set for Aug 12 were Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan with the candidate nomination day on July 29.
Commenting further, Hairi who is also the BN Youth deputy chairman said the selected candidate bears a great responsibility to win the party.
"I have contacted some young candidates who will contest later, I reminded them to maintain their ethics, behavior and to not be proud or arrogant. The late (Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub) did advise me that this position is only temporary, so it is important to be ethical.
He said Umno Youth was satisfied when the party's leadership gave their trust to young candidates to contest in the state elections and it was considered to be the first steps in the process of rejuvenating the party as previously planned.
"I had a meeting with the Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday (during Salahuddin funeral) and thanked him for trusting the young candidates.
"I am pleased to see many young candidates, especially my comrades in the Youth movement since being in the opposition and becoming the government now, holding the title of candidate," said the Larkin State Assemblyman.
Hairi, who is also the State Exco for Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development, Cooperative and Human Resources said the party's decision to field out many young candidates should be commended.
