KHAIRY Jamaluddin was the stand-out star among the three Umno candidates gunning for the party’s top post in last night’s debate, say analysts. 

However, they felt party delegates will still go with Umno interim president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as he is, by all accounts, popular with the party grassroots.

Merdeka Centre’s Ibrahim Suffian said Khairy was well liked by people outside Umno but in the party, it was a different story. 

“I think in terms of public popularity, Khairy might be ahead among ordinary Umno members and supporters.

“However, given that the voting process involves delegates selected from Umno branches within each division, there is a likelihood that many of these individuals belong to particular camps of supporters,” he told The Malaysian Insight last night after the debate, which was aired on Astro Awani. 

Ibrahim added that both Khairy and Tengku Razaleigh Tengku Hamzah distanced themselves from former Umno president Najib Razak but the move might backfire as the former prime minister still has much goodwill in the party. 

“Khairy and, to some extent, Tengku Razaleigh courted popular support by their early criticism of Najib.

“But, it must be said that a significant number of those delegates still comprise of Najib supporters,” he said. 

Political analyst Hisomuddin Bakar said Khairy looked the most confident of the lot with his populist themed ideas, while Zahid focused on the continuity of the party leadership and Tengku Razaleigh was experienced.  

However, the Ilham Centre executive director said Umno delegates would have already made up their minds before last night’s debate.

“The debate will have a minimal effect as the warlord culture is dominant. If Umno delegates are determined to change the party, this debate would not have made much difference either way,” Hisomuddin told The Malaysian Insight. 

Universiti Utara Malaysia’s Azizuddin Sani praised Khairy for admitting to Umno’s mistakes in the 14th general election and acknowledging scandals like 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). 

“Khairy admitted to Umno’s problems but Zahid has never admitted to them. Khairy was the most convincing and Ku Li was the most sincere,” he said, referring to Tengku Razaleigh. 

But the political analyst also agreed that Zahid had the best shot at taking the presidency because of his grassroots support. 

“If Umno really wants to change, Khairy is the one. But, as Umno has done in the past, the party delegations have a mentality that the leadership should continue. So I think Zahid has the best chance,” Azizuddin said.  

All three presidential hopefuls took a different approach in the debate last night. 

While 42-year-old Khairy Jamaluddin was candid and honest in admitting to his mistakes, 65-year-old Zahid tried to temper his answers by blaming Pakatan Harapan’s “non-conventional” approach to GE14. –  June 30, 2018.