KJ pushes new deal for youths

They want to know if Umno is a party of the future, says Youth chief

THERE must be a new deal for youths in the Barisan Nasional manifesto for the general election, promising them a better future with more job opportunities and higher income, said Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

In wrapping up points raised on his ministry, Khairy said the deal would also encompass youths in rural areas.

This new deal, he added, is important for Umno to position itself as the party of the future.

“Despite the party’s contribution towards the country’s independence, it is not enough just to remind the youths of its successes.

“They want to know if Umno is a party of and for the future,” he said, adding that there must be a “fresh message” for youths in the UmnoBarisan election manifesto for the 14th general election.

New faces, he said, must also be fielded in the polls to position Umno as the party of the future.

“Let the candidates we choose fit in with the characteristic of 2017. Why? It is because voters no longer just look at the party logo.

“The era when you put on a songkok and it is enough to secure a win is long over. However, we will let the party president decide on this,” he said, adding that Umno must offer a variety in its candidate list so that it would be seen as contemporary.

“Variety means a mix of those who are senior, including those from Wanita, the youths and perhaps not from our party’s hierarchy.

“Let other people see us as fresh and contemporary,” he said.

Praising the party president for avoiding a populist approach in his leadership despite the nearing polls, Khairy said the Opposition’s election manifesto was full of “diabetic promises” that came with a price for our future generations.

“Our opponents don’t care what will happen to our future generation. They want to abolish debts, tolls and taxes – making everything free.

“But a sane person knows that nothing is free in life. Their diabetic promises will be paid by our children in future.

“Debts will increase and future national spending will decrease,” he said.

Well done: Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil receiving a ‘high five’ from Khairy after delivering her speech at the Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur.

United as one: Umno members cheering on president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the closing ceremony of the 2017 Umno general assembly.