KJ AND ANNUAR MAKE THEIR PITCHES
146,000 delegates in 191 divisions will choose the Umno president, and by extension, the party’s future as the opposition this Saturday. Among the three aspiring candidates is former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who has been vocal about the need for the party to undergo change and remain relevant to the people. In an exclusive interview, he shares with ADIB POVERA and MOHD AZRONE SARABATIN why he is fit to become the wartime general-in-chief
Question: Why did you decide to contest the Umno president’s post?
Answer: I am offering myself as a candidate because I want to bring about changes in Umno, not only involving the party’s image, but also its culture, action and DNA.
Umno needs to undergo a major overhaul rather than cosmetic changes.
Changes must be carried out to prepare the party to face the next general election in the next five years.
Q: Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, fondly known as Ku Li, claimed that he was approached by many people, including you, to contest the president’s post. Any comment on his statement?
A: I did meet Ku Li and encouraged him to contest the party polls.
However, I was moved to bring in changes that will not only last for one term, but for the long run.
I could not decide or control God’s call for me to have a change of heart.
“Conversations” with God are more important that any conversations with mortals.
I feel that this is the right time to bring in changes in Umno and that is why I am offering myself to contest the party polls.
Q: Can you comment on rumours that you have formed an alliance with the other presidential candidate, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and that you are contesting the party polls to split votes?
A: I am not conspiring with anyone. I am not contesting to help other contenders win (the party election) or split votes.
I am offering myself as a candidate to win.
Q: Do you have a plan to carry out the changes to restore Umno to its former glory?
A: I have come up with a manifesto, which outlined a plan to rejuvenate Umno.
This is to prove party delegates that the changes I have been reiterating for Umno are not just empty talk.
The plan includes ways to restore Umno’s reputation and restructure the party to garner support from the people, as well as the guideline for us to become a good and strong opposition in Parliament.
Q: If you are elected as Umno president, what are the challenges you expect to face in carrying out reform efforts in the party?
A: Umno is famous for its warlord system.
Hence, Umno needs a president, who has the will to introduce and implement changes in the party.
I have the passion to carry out these changes and give opportunity to new faces to contribute to the party’s development.
I pledge to do my best in convincing warlords and the old guard in Umno that we need to carry out changes in the party.
Embracing changes does not mean (the warlords) cannot contribute to the party.
Q: As Umno prepares for the party polls, it has been rocked by the departure of Bagan Serai member of parliament Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali from the ruling coalition. What is the reason behind his departure?
A: I hope this is the first and the last time (a member of parliament from Umno will leave the party). I am disappointed by his action.
This goes back to the role of the party’s top leadership.
I believe that this problem occurred because there is no clear direction for the party by the top leadership.
The top leadership should play a greater role to assure Umno MPs to remain in the party.
As Umno president, he should be responsible for the welfare of his anak-anak buah, who are MPs and state assemblymen in the party. Q: What is the type of leadership that is needed to lead Umno during this critical period?
A: We need a wartime general, who has the drive and energy to go down to the ground, every nook and corner of the country. Umno needs a president who will always be with party grassroots at the divisional level and branches.
Q: Do you have what it takes to be Umno’s wartime general? A: The party needs a leader who can face and debate with (the Pakatan Harapan government) in Parliament.
And this is my expertise. Debating in Parliament has been my passion since I was elected as a member of parliament (in Rembau).
That is why I am throwing my hat into the ring to give party delegates more options on who they think fits the role as Umno president.
Q: What is your comment on the outcome of Umno polls for the party’s three wings, especially Youth?
A: It is as expected. The outcome of the polls showed that party delegates wanted to see changes in Umno.
Party delegates chose Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki as new Umno Youth chief instead of senator Khairul Azwan Harun, who was previously the wing’s vicechief.
Q: Do you think the winds of change will be sustained until the party polls this Saturday? A: Will the winds of change prevail again until the delegates conference at the party’s division’s level?
This is something that I am not sure of. However, I hope the same momentum will emerge this Saturday.