UMNO should be allowed to rebuild itself as a credible opposition, said Umno Youth head Khairy Jamaluddin.

“Just ask the voters. They say ‘don’t deregister Umno’ and ‘don’t accept Umno in Pakatan Harapan’.

“Allow Umno to rebuild for the time being to become a credible opposition,” Khairy told Utusan Malaysia in an exclusive interview.

He was referring to claims by former Umno veterans, such as Rafidah Aziz, that Umno was an illegal party that flouted its own party constitution by delaying its party elections.

Khairy said such attacks should cease in the interest of democracy.

However, the Rembau MP did not mention when Umno would hold its long-delayed party elections.

The party came under fire from its own grassroots leaders after suffering its worst electoral defeat in the 14th general election on May 9, winning only 54 seats compared with 88 seats in 2013.

Calls have been made for top party leaders, including Khairy, to step down. – May 20, 2018.