Khairy camp cries foul over Kimanis nomination

Supporters of Umno Youth chief aspirant Khairy Jamaluddin are crying foul over the outcome of the Kimanis, Sabah, division meeting yesterday, where rival Mukhriz Mahathir won his first nomination for the wing's topmost post.

A Khairy supporter told Malaysiakini that between 45 to 50 supporters were barred from returning to the Membakut Community Hall near Papar, where the meeting to nominate the Youth top posts was being held.

The group had taken a break from the 12-hour long meeting to go for their Maghrib prayers. But when they returned, they were not allowed to re-enter the hall.

An election by a show of hands later took place, with Mukhriz capturing 51 votes and Khairy pulling 31.

“All the candidates want to see a respectable, democratic and friendly contest, which is why we hope Kimanis will be an isolated event. So far, it has been the only sad episode,” the supporter said.

“After all, our biggest concern is the next general election where Umno must convince young Malaysians to back Barisan Nasional, not fighting among ourselves.”

Four-way fight

Khairy, the 32-year-old son-in-law of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, is locked in a four-way fight to head the Youth wing - a traditional testing ground and stepping stone for the future top leaders of the main party proper.

He faces a tough fight from Jerlun MP Mukhriz Mahathir, former Selangor MP Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and Padang Besar division head Zahidi Zainul Abidin.

Yet it is Mukhriz, the 44-year-old son of feisty ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who may give Khairy the most trouble.

The outspoken Mahathir had recently posted in his popular blog that “although my son will be contesting, I have no doubt Khairy will win hands down”.

However Mukhriz, when contacted by Malaysiakini, said he was unaware of such an incident. As far as he knew, “only delegates were allowed into the hall.”

An Umno exco member, he rated his chances as “fair to good as long as there are no nonsense in terms of money politics and such”.

So far, both are running neck to neck with Khairy scalping three nominations from Machang, Pengkalan Chepa (both Kelantan) and Silam (Sabah).

However, Mukhriz picked up three nominations today to add to the Kimanis nomination under his belt - Jerlun (Kedah), Besut (Terengganu) and Cameron Highlands (Pahang).

But it is still too early to tell as there are 184 divisions yet to meet. About 20 divisions will meet over the weekend.

The Youth chief post is being vacated by incumbent Hishammuddin Hussein, who has set his sights on the next-most senior post - a vice-presidency.