UMNO has to be inclusive and open and not be a party controlled by specific groups, said Khairy Jamaluddin today while confirming he was contesting for the top post in the party.

The party’s youth chief said he wants a complete overhaul of the party’s “soul” so that it will remain relevant in the current political atmosphere. 

He said the party should break from the past and the culture of total dominance by Umno warlords. 

“A new soul means a complete restructuring of the party. Umno must restore the openness in all aspects. We must be open to contest, we must be open to advise and be able to criticise leaders without being sacked. 

“We also must be open to accept new members without restrictions. We must be open for delegates to choose who leads Umno and be free from the warlords’ grip,” Khairy said in a statement today. 

An aide of the former youth and sports minister submitted his nominations forms for Umno’s top spot, turning the contest into an unprecedented four-way fight.

Khairy stressed that Umno must no longer be viewed as a racist or sexist party that is no longer relevant to the people. 

“We need to be a party that opens up to all levels of society, not just the elite. We need to be a commoner’s party. A party that takes care of the everyday man. 

“A party that is not racist, not sexist, not narrow-minded and not be deaf to the people’s wants. A party that will be gracious to the other races and rebuild Barisan Nasional someday,” he said. 

The 42-year old also said he has already got the blessings of interim president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to contest despite him going against them. 

Khairy also said even if he loses, he would still give his undivided support to Umno and the top leadership.

The Rembau MP also said the Umno General Assembly from now on should be a platform to share ideas and inspirations instead of rhetoric to entertain members. 

“The Umno AGM needs to be a platform to discuss ideas for the benefit of the people and not be a rhetoric speech festival. We will open the doors of Umno wide enough for anyone that wants to rebuild our party,” Khairy pledged. 

Khairy has previously announced that he would run for one of the three vice-president’s posts. The report did not clarify whether Khairy had changed his mind about contesting a VP post.

Today is the last day for the candidates to submit their applications to run in the party’s elections which are expected to be the most heated in 30 years.

The June 30 polls are seen as a crucial first step towards rebuilding Umno after it lost federal power for the first time.

So far, three other candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for the presidency, namely current deputy president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and blogger Rahmat Azim Abdul Aziz. – June 17, 2018