Umno Youth has transformed itself from a pressure group to one involved in “solutions-driven politics”, according to its head Khairy Jamaluddin.

Under the current leadership, he said, the wing has been given a new look, new branding, new substance.

NONE "Umno Youth was once considered a pressure group that spoke for the community or was merely complementary to the party leadership,” he said in addressing the annual general meeting of the wing in Kuala Lumpur today.

"A new chapter has been opened since. Now its image and identity are no longer one of a political wing that is heavy on rhetoric. Umno Youth now stands as an organisation that is creative and proactive in solving the problems and issues of the younger generation."

In the speech themed ‘Leading our generation to transformation’, Khairy cited the BN Youth Lab, ‘My First Home’ scheme and the BN Job Fair as examples of proactive measures.

NONE The wing has also helped in a project that saw more than 550 houses being repaired.

He said almost all the transformation measures by the government - including the proposed repeal of the Internal Security Act - are issues on which Umno Youth had spoken out.

At that time, cynical voices had suggested that Umno Youth was “liberal or progressive."

"But today, our bold stance to reflect the actual wishes of the young people has been vindicated by the transformation put in place by our president himself.

“We do not act in blind faith as our cause is in line with the desires of the younger generation.”

‘Might is no longer right’

Khairy said the old world view that contained a simple logic might is right where force and might may have underpinned its actions in the past.

‘When faced with problems, our immediate response was to arrest and jail people. When confronted with challenges, we literally banned them.

“The Cold War mentality might have served well in decades gone by but the realities of the present demand a more measured and transparent approach. As a reflection of this approach, the government will amend Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act to open the space for students to participate in politics.”

This, Khairy said, is a bold step born out of a strong leadership committed to change.

As for candidates coming from the movement, Khairy said there is a need to promote candidates who are not only popular in the party but are also accepted by the voters.

“A study conducted by the BN Youth on voting considerations shows 35 percent chose based on the party, 34 percent the candidate and 27 percent the key leaders at the national level.

“The study also found 62 percent are fence-sitters who will only choose only the party and candidate they consider best.”

He added that we cannot assume that the people will always support BN regardless of candidate, which is certainly a myth.

“Winnable candidate must also exhibit capability and trustworthiness,” he said.

Khairy also warned the movement’s members not to engage in sabotage in elections.

“This is not the mentality that we want. If there remains such groups - not only those who openly support the opposition, but also those who boycott silently... do not do any work, go missing to sulk during campaign periods... we ask strong action be taken against such traitors.”

Despite this, Khairy said the movement put its faith on the leadership to make the decision to choose its candidates from among party members.

“Umno Youth expresses hope to be given the opportunity, we know that the most important thing is to win the election. We will be loyal to the party and support any candidates,” he said.

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