FORMER Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin today defended his criticism of Najib Razak’s appointment as Barisan Nasional advisory council chairman, saying he is free to have different opinions.

He said the difference in views is important so that Umno does not repeat its past mistakes that caused the party to lose power in the last general election.

The Rembau MP said Umno members and leaders had made the mistake of keeping silent although they were aware of the people’s problems then.

“This was what had happened in the past – we never take heed of different opinions. We keep quiet and dare not say the truth.

“We knew there were problems, but we made it as if there were none. We knew the people were worried – there were many issues that we couldn’t explain and just left it at that,” he told Kota Melaka Umno delegates today.

He said Umno leaders in the past had only given good reports and this was why BN lost and failed to understand the real political scenarios on the ground.

“There’s a state that had lost many times but reported to Najib on May 9 after voting ended at 6.30pm that BN will win two-thirds. In the end, BN only won four seats.

“If we do not talk about the past, history will repeat itself. We can’t be yes men or yes women anymore,” he said.

Towards this end, Khairy urged Umno to stop viewing differences of opinion as a form of treachery but as a part of a rehabilitation process for the party.

“I may have a different view from the party’s leaders, but never doubt about my loyalty.

“At this point, we need to rectify the party, including by giving advice. We should not think of those who have different opinions as traitors.

“Umno has to learn from its mistake,” he said.

Both Khairy and Padang Rengas MP Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz had questioned Najib’s appointment to the BN post, calling it regressive. 

Both men also expressed different views from other Umno leaders on Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s invitation for the Malays to unite under Bersatu. – July 21, 2019.