KUALA LUMPUR, 28 March 2009: Umno Youth vice-chief Datuk Razali Ibrahim has been appointed as Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth election director for the three by-elections on 7 April.
Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said all Umno Youth executive committee members would be entrusted with the task of getting closer to the youths in the constituencies.
“In our approach, the local election machinery will take the lead and we will be assisting the campaigners.
“We are concentrating on young voters and our strategy is to get closer to them in the tight campaigning period,” he told reporters yesterday after chairing the Umno Youth executive committee meeting for the first time since winning the post on 25 March.
Khairy said the meeting did not touch on the appointment of officer-bearers as the agenda was on the preparation for the by-elections in Bukit Gantang (Perak), Bukit Selambau (Kedah) and Batang Ai (Sarawak).
On his alleged involvement in money politics, he said he would focus on the real issues raised by the opposition and not on the internal problem in Umno.
It is more important for Umno Youth to close ranks, he said, adding that he would ask Member of Parliament for Jerlun Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and former Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo to assist the party in the by-elections.
On the criticism from former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his blog, Khairy said, “I have high regard for his opinion as a statesman. We are looking forward.”
He denied that the Umno Youth chief post election process was not transparent. — Bernama
