UMNO IS NOT A SPENDING FORCE PARTY

By - Hesmel Faznee Faisal

Sometimes, a person will be elected to a post not because he is seen as a capable leader, but is also due to fact that he is connected or belongs to a certain group.

Khairy Jamaluddin, the once prince of the political arena have seen his days in the local politics has been outnumbered, when his beloved father-in-law cum Prime Minister, Pak Lah decided not to defend his UMNO Presidency. Even though he had managed to qualify to race for the post of UMNO Youth chief, he has to work extra hard to ensure his credibility as a leader per se, will be the main factor he will be elected to that post.

And, with his father in-law cum Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi slowly losing grip on the party, the struggle for Khairy to be elected as the next UMNO youth chief will be seen as easier said than done and tough. Based on the latest number of nominations, UMNO Youth Chief aspirant Datuk Mukhriz is still leading the race with 71 nominations, with Dato' Seri Dr. Mohd Khir Toyo in the second place with 56 nominations. Khairy, once seen as the favourite for Umno Youth chief post is only 6 nominations behind Dr Khir.

Khairy once said he enjoys being the Prime Minister's son-in-law because the family ties between him and Pak Lah has enable him to do lots of things and at the same time receives all the political protection he needs. His meteoric rise in UMNO was also due to the fact of this factor.

Soon, all of this will become a painful memory for him as Abdullah Badawi has made the decision not to defend his post as UMNO President and Najib Razak will be taking over from Abdullah.

If Najib successfully becomes the Prime Minister and UMNO President, Khairy would have to say goodbye to his dreams of becoming the youngest Prime Minister of Malaysia, let alone becoming the next UMNO Youth Chief.

I am confident; UMNO members will not let the inexperienced politician ruin the party again, after what had happened in the recent by-election at Permatang Pauh and the dark and gloomy 12^th General Election in March.

UMNO will not be seen as a spend force party but will always remain as a party that is relevant to the Malays and all Malaysians.

But the question is, Quo Vadis UMNO?

Kita Kan Tersesat Pabila Malam Menjemput Bulan Semula Ke Sangkar Waktu – The Salam Connection.