Wednesday, 9 December 2015 | MYT 12:30 PM
Umno AGM: We will speak up for the people, says Khairy
BY DINA MURAD
THE STAR
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth will speak out against party leaders in highlighting the concerns of the people, its chief Khairy Jamaluddin said (pic).
Khairy said the Youth is not taking a populist stance and voicing its opinions is to ensure that Umno remains popular with the people.
"Occasionally, Umno Youth will have to take a stand that is against the tide and unpopular with certain groups in its effort to bring forth the voice of the people," said Khairy, who is Youth and Sports Minister, at the wing's annual general assembly on Wednesday.
"Lately, when Umno Youth voiced out public grievances and spoke on topical issues, cynics accused us of being populist, taking the opportunity to exploit the situation and fight our bosses.
"Do not tell us that Umno Youth’s efforts to act as messengers of the thoughts and voices of the people is considered treason? If so it is better to just stitch our lips shut," Khairy said to loud cheers and applause from the delegates.
"When issues arise and become a concern for many people, should Umno Youth just play dumb? When there are big allegations like corruption, fraud and abuse of power, should we simply stay silent and not ask for an explanation?," he said.
Khairy explained that taking a stand is not meant to accuse someone. It is to explain the situation and clear the image of the government and the party in the eyes of the people, he said.
"Remember, the people determine our political future. If the response given is an answer that does not make sense, how will the people accept this?," he said.
"If our response is to only go after the informant without probing the serious allegation, what will people think? If our response is to appear like we are interfering with the investigation, what will the people conclude?" he added.
"Umno Youth wants our party to remain in power. For that, our party has to win the General Election.
"To win the General Election, our leaders have to be respected and honoured by the masses. That is why we raise important issues that are in the minds of the people, especially the youths," he said.
"It is not difficult to be accepted and be popular among the people. If there are allegations, they should be answered quickly and comprehensively," he said.
Khairy also urged Umno and the Youth to prove to the people that they are transparent, practice good governance, and have nothing to hide.
In citing verses from the Quran, Khairy told the story of a group of youths who were brave in upholding the truth when facing an unjust king.
"Allah also mentioned that (the youths) weren’t just knowledgeable but also did not remain silent when confronted with falsehoods and were brave in standing up for the truth," he said.
Khairy said Umno Youth will continue to stand with the party leadership to correct any falsehoods faced by the party.
"Let this voice come from Umno Youth, who does it while showing great respect to the party, rather than with menacing threats from those who are enemies within, with one foot in the party but with the intention of bringing down this institution for their own individual gain," he said.
In acknowledging the "positive developments" in addressing the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and RM2.6bil political donation issues, Khairy hopes that initiatives to respond to public concerns do not stagnate.
"To voice our concerns and questions does not amount to betrayal; this is far more respectable than the alternatives – whether it is being a thorn in the side that eventually destroys the party or to be blindly loyal to the point that it brings the downfall of this institution," he said.
Calling on the Government to stop further price hikes, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin (pic) said the people are now at a "breaking point" in dealing with the burden.
"Allah also mentioned that (the youths) weren’t just knowledgeable but also did not remain silent when confronted with falsehoods and were brave in standing up for the truth," he said.
Khairy said Umno Youth will continue to stand with the party leadership to correct any falsehoods faced by the party.
"Let this voice come from Umno Youth, who does it while showing great respect to the party, rather than with menacing threats from those who are enemies within, with one foot in the party but with the intention of bringing down this institution for their own individual gain," he said.
In acknowledging the "positive developments" in addressing the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and RM2.6bil political donation issues, Khairy hopes that initiatives to respond to public concerns do not stagnate.
"To voice our concerns and questions does not amount to betrayal; this is far more respectable than the alternatives – whether it is being a thorn in the side that eventually destroys the party or to be blindly loyal to the point that it brings the downfall of this institution," he said.
Calling on the Government to stop further price hikes, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin (pic) said the people are now at a "breaking point" in dealing with the burden.
"We all know that 2015 has been a year when people have been shocked with various price hikes.
"One by one, price and fees go up, putting more burden on the people. Savings at the end of the month are increasingly drying up, if there is any left.
"Debts are on the rise and some are forced to turn to loan sharks," said Khairy, the Youth and Sports Minister, at the wing's annual general assembly on Wednesday.
Khairy stressed that the Youth was not taking a populist stand in highlighting the cost of living issues.
"We understand the need for these measures. But at the same time, when the people are laden with pressures of rising cost of living, we can no longer stay silent," he said.
"We are not asking for the abolishment of all and sundry, but Umno Youth wants to send this message to the party leadership and the Government – enough!
"Stop these price hikes, no more increases," he said to cheers from the delegates.
"If toll prices need to be raised, spare the intercity highways such as the North South Expressway and the East Coast Expressway.
"That was our promise. And today I reiterate again, Umno Youth rejects any further increase in toll for these two highways or any other highways for that matter," he said.
"Same goes for other price increases. Although we understand the need for these painful steps, the reality is that the people can no longer take any more and have reached their breaking point.
"So this is enough. Do not add more to the people’s burden. Do not douse petrol on the flames of anger in people’s hearts. Umno Youth wants the Government to stop all further price increases after this. Enough is enough," he said.
Khairy added that the next two years would be for the savings gathered from the GST, subsidy rationalisation and increase of other fares to be channeled back to the people.
He suggested giving special discounts for youths who take public transport as what has been done overseas.
"When highway tolls increase, we ask the young to take public transport. Now after the highway tolls were increased, Komuter, ERL and all kinds of other fares went up as well. What other choice do the people have, ask them to travel by foot? " he said.
"Debts are on the rise and some are forced to turn to loan sharks," said Khairy, the Youth and Sports Minister, at the wing's annual general assembly on Wednesday.
Khairy stressed that the Youth was not taking a populist stand in highlighting the cost of living issues.
"We understand the need for these measures. But at the same time, when the people are laden with pressures of rising cost of living, we can no longer stay silent," he said.
"We are not asking for the abolishment of all and sundry, but Umno Youth wants to send this message to the party leadership and the Government – enough!
"Stop these price hikes, no more increases," he said to cheers from the delegates.
"If toll prices need to be raised, spare the intercity highways such as the North South Expressway and the East Coast Expressway.
"That was our promise. And today I reiterate again, Umno Youth rejects any further increase in toll for these two highways or any other highways for that matter," he said.
"Same goes for other price increases. Although we understand the need for these painful steps, the reality is that the people can no longer take any more and have reached their breaking point.
"So this is enough. Do not add more to the people’s burden. Do not douse petrol on the flames of anger in people’s hearts. Umno Youth wants the Government to stop all further price increases after this. Enough is enough," he said.
Khairy added that the next two years would be for the savings gathered from the GST, subsidy rationalisation and increase of other fares to be channeled back to the people.
He suggested giving special discounts for youths who take public transport as what has been done overseas.
"When highway tolls increase, we ask the young to take public transport. Now after the highway tolls were increased, Komuter, ERL and all kinds of other fares went up as well. What other choice do the people have, ask them to travel by foot? " he said.
