Khairy wants feedback from members before deciding

REMBAU: Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin has refused to say if he would go for the wing's top post in the December party polls.

Khairy, who is also Rembau MP, said there was no reason for him to make a decision now as the polls were still months away.

"Also, I need to get the views from the branches and divisions first. Only then will I make my decision known," he said when met at his service centre near here.

Khairy said the party was his priority and he would not be hasty in joining the fray to contest the top post.

"Umno is an institution and I must hear the views of the grassroots first," he said.

Asked on Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein's decision not to seek re-election as Umno Youth chief, Khairy said this had to be respected although it was a great loss to the Youth wing.

Hishammuddin, who is also Education Minister, said on Thursday that he would not be defending the post and that it was time to make way for someone else.

"Umno Youth made tremendous progress with Datuk Seri Hishammuddin at the helm for 10 years.

"I will personally continue to support him if he decides to contest for any post in the party election," he said.

On the decision by Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo to offer themselves for the top post in the youth wing, Khairy said anyone was free to contest.

"What is important is that we must follow the democratic process which has been long practised in the party. We must elect the best leaders to effectively lead Umno," he said.

Asked if a contest for the top position in the youth movement would split the party, Khairy expressed confidence that its members were mature and no one would take the opportunity to try and create disunity.