‘Boost goodwill within party’

> Khairy tells Youth wing to strengthen ties between leaders and grassroots

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin ( pix) has urged the wing to strengthen its spirit of camaraderie between leaders and grassroots to ensure the party continues to progress.

Khairy said all party members must not only correct others but should also accept any advice or criticism with an open heart.

On his friendship with Umno Terengganu Youth chief Mohd Johari Abu Bakar, he said: “We go way back and I could not believe that he is now the Terengganu Youth chief. He even dreams of being the state mentri besar. But jokes aside, this is a story of true brotherhood.

“We can joke even when we are up on stage, that is the meaning of brotherhood. It’s okay for us to advise one another because we do it for the betterment of Umno,” he said at the wing’s assembly yesterday.

Khairy also urged party members to be closer to the rakyat and do whatever possible to win their hearts if they wish to see the party remain dominant.

“For instance, when I was in Terengganu some time ago, I ate bubur asyura with the people there, but I have never liked it. But it is not that I am a hypocrite or merely acting, I do it because I am the people’s representative. Even if I was forced to eat from a thousand pots, I would do it because we want to win their hearts.

“Just do it, as the reason we are even here is the rakyat,” he said.

Khairy stressed the need for Umno to be a party for the commoners, while also commending all delegates who had spoken on issues that are pertinent to the rakyat during the debate. He also reiterated the importance of togetherness in a party, citing how his deputy Khairul Azwan Harun had previously been the party’s “bad boy” before remaining true to Umno and its leadership.