KUALA LUMPUR, 27 March 2009: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he is happy with Khairy Jamaluddin’s election as the new Umno Youth chief, saying the Rembau member of Parliament had worked hard for the victory.
“He (Khairy) worked very hard, he really worked very hard, that is the truth, I know … because when I went to see my grandchildren and asked Nori (Abdullah’s daughter) where is Khairy, she said he had gone campaigning and meeting the Umno Youth.
“So I said, he must be working very hard and she herself agreed that he did work hard… everyday going around.
“I think he deserves it after working so hard,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the 2008 Umno general assembly, at the Putra World Trade Centre here today.
Asked what would be his advice to Khairy, his son-in-law, Abdullah said the period during the campaign was very different from after winning the election.
“He has also said that it is important to unite the Umno Youth which is now divided into three groups.
“This is certainly not good. When the dust settled, it is the party’s hope that members of the movement will close ranks…that is the democratic way,” he said.
Khairy won the Umno Youth chief post on 25 March, beating two other challengers Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.
Abdullah said the delegates had made their decision and it was the responsibility of party members to give cooperation with those who had been elected.
“Only then can the party become strong. This should be the first reform we institute in the party. We must close ranks,” he said. — Bernama
