IT was a significant victory for 33-year-old Khairy Jamaluddin on the night of 25 March 2009 when he won the Umno Youth race to become its new chief.
Significant because Khairy beat favourite Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir by 72 votes and former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo by 50 votes. This was despite what seemed like a waning political future for him following Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s loss of support as both prime minister and party president.
But significant also because Khairy, who is Abdullah’s son-in-law, had just been slapped with a warning by the party’s disciplinary board for money politics.
Despite his victory, it would seem that hordes of Umno members, at least outside the Putra World Trade Centre where the party general assembly was held, were unhappy and unconvinced.
A mob of Umno members yelled, “Khairy! Rasuah!” and “Penipu!” outside the hall where Khairy gave his acceptance speech. The crowd was so angry it pushed against the human barricade of security personnel that was blocking them from entering the hall.
Despite the intensity of the protests, Khairy has since dismissed the accusations of money politics in his campaign as “all part of politics”. Still, dissatisfaction at his victory remains thick, and it is left to be seen if Khairy — his political career now revived — will survive his own party. 
Singam says
When the youth are trained to attack and mob people they don’t agree with or take exception to, don’t be surprised if, one day, they turn against you.
kip says
Interesting…. Even Umno members are against him. Let’s see how he finds his way through.
swordie says
Wow… that is so scary… leadership in question!
George Jung le says
Going by the the video images, I can’t help wonder if those involved in the protest actually know what they’re protesting about; what more to say if they’ve anything to do with whatever is going on. From the video itself we can actually conclude that those protesters don’t even understand what the hell they’re shouting about. It’s likened to those soldiers sent into a battle not knowing exactly what they’re fighting for much less the purpose of their battle; they’re there because the higher ups asked them to go fight…. duhh
Alex Allied says
Monkey leaders create Monkey politics. Welcome to Malaysia where a person can shout insults at opposition leaders and get away with it.
Dr.Lee Choong Hing says
He won because he has got charisma. He is going to be the future Prime Minister. His victory augurs well for Umno. I hope he will be made a cabinet minister with an important portfolio.
kamanado says
The end is near, I see the final curtain… regrets just a few… Another day in Malaysia….going going will be gone soon…ta ta ta
Michael Goh says
It is very obvious how Khairy won the Umno Youth chief post.
William Wang says
The Umno disciplinary board should come out to clear the situation on why a warning was given to Khairy. Speculations could be: there was no evidence to indicate that Khairy was involved in money politics, thus a warning; or that the board was being biased, We know what damage rivalries can cause.
my_milo says
Why is this mob shouting “Rasuah”? Is he a new Youth leader or what? Wow, these people really know know how to shout!
www says
It is the first time the word RASUAH sounded so beautiful….either they got the taste of it or they are supporting MACC. Instead of going around to support the ISA, harassing Karpal Singh, and Mat Rempit-ing, they should be employed by MACC.
Eric says
I am confused. I thought the politically correct word for rasuah in Malaysia’s BN is money politics (cannot be found in Webster’s or Oxford’s, it is authentically Malaysian Pidgin English). Rasuah should only be employed for non-BN related matters.