Open support for Najib and Mukhriz
Malaysiakini.com
Apr 10, 2008

A Umno Youth division in Perak has openly backed Najib Abdul Razak to be the party’s No 1 and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s son, Mukhriz, to lead the youth wing.
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The Ipoh Barat division acting Youth chief Ahmad Faizal Azumu said in a one-page statement today that his stand was made on the “democratic spirit and love for the party”.

pak lah and najib graphic style“I would like to state my undivided support for Najib as the candidate for Umno president to replace Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. To further strengthen the party, I would also like to give my undivided support to Mukhriz as the Umno Youth chief,” said Ahmad Faizal.

“Their leadership, courage and wisdom are much respected by friends and foes. Their high moral character will be able to restore the people’s interest and support for Umno and Barisan Nasional,” he added.

The Umno Youth divisional leader emphasised (highlighting the sentence in capital letters) that he did not mean to be rude to the incumbent leaders but that he views are based on the feedback obtained from members and the public.

State: Khairy the most appropriate person

Ahmad Faizal’s call came in the wake of Perak Umno Youth’s open support for the wing’s deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin to replace Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein in the party poll in December, as reported in the media today.

The state Youth chief Zainol Fadzi Paharudin said Khairy is the most appropriate person to replace Hishammuddin as Khairy had proven to be a true leader during his tenure as the Youth’s No 2.

Only personal statement

Ahmad Faizal nevertheless disassociated himself from the statement.

“The statement cannot be seen as representing the majority’s wish of Umno Youth members. It is only a personal statement from a state-level leader,” he said, noting that it should be seen as a healthy development where leaders are pledging open support for their preferred candidate.

He added that the party delegates should feel free to choose the leader of their choice without facing any pressure.

hishamuddin hussein khir toyo mukhriz khairy jamaluddin umnoMukhriz and Umno supreme council member Dr Mohd Khir Toyo have openly announced their intention to contest for the Youth chief's post after Hishammuddin declared that he would not seek re-election. Khairy has yet to announce his plan.

For the Umno presidency, Abdullah has insisted he would stay on despite mounting pressures on him to step down following BN’s dismal performance in the last elections.

Former vice-president and Gua Musang division chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has stated his intention to challenge Abdullah should he get the required 58 nominations from party divisions for him to do so.

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