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KUALA LUMPUR - Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has refuted reports in cyberspace and opposition papers that his members want him out.
He said there was no resolution from the Youth executive council meeting last week for him to step down, adding: "That's a spin from my detractors in cyberspace."
He further tweetered: "At least my excos do not call me a dictator without class in public."
 This is an apparent jibe against Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who was ridiculed in the media by MPs Zahrain Hashim (Bayan Baru) and Tan Tee Beng (Nibong Tebal).
Zahrain had called the CM a 'dictator, a chauvinist and a communist' while Tan had labelled Lim 'a leader without class who practises vengeful politics.'
Not in tune with Najib?
An article that appeared in some blogs as well as on Harakahdaily,
The article said several members pointed out that Khairy was not toeing the line of the 1Malaysia administration of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
It further speculated that two-thirds of the members would resign to pave the way for fresh polls in the wing. the PAS-owned news portal, stated that some Umno Youth members attending the wing's executive committee meeting during the weekend had asked Khairy to step down.
The following are excerpts of Khairy's comments in his twitter-conversation with the Malaysian Mirror, which asked about the issue.
"There was no resolution for me to step down. That's a spin from my detractors in cyberspace. My deputy (Razali Ibrahim) has already clarified.
"We had a frank, open discussion about the direction we're taking and the programmes for the year. Isn't that what meetings are for?
"At least my excos do not call me a dictator with no class in public...yet."
Najib, in his maiden address as party president at the Umno general assembly...is Khairy out of tune with the PM's wishes?"
Limit authority, that's all
In the midst of the conversation, the following comments were received from a fellow twitter:
"All these accusations of abuse of power, dictatorship are missing the point.
"Just introduce legislations to limit authority.
"(In Malay) I feel your fight in Umno, if it has not yet ended, will be resolved for you.
"You need the VPs to help you, at least.
"(In Malay) Before this, Hisham (former Umno Youth head Hishammuddin Hussein) said Umno Youth wants Khairy.
"Now, we do not hear a word from him. You look dead in the water."
Deputy chief clarifies
Meanwhile, Umno Youth deputy chief Razali Ibrahim posted in Facebook his comments on the leadership issue, denying that two-thirds of the wing's executive committee wants Khairy to step down and make way for a new leader.
 "What happened was, they wanted to be involved in doing more for the party.
"Maybe, they were misunderstood and used by certain people against Umno Youth for their (the opponents') own gain,”
"What was said is this: if we are not capable of carrying out our duties, we should step down.
"It is not just about the leaders but als all the exco members.
"That was a challenge. It's not like what is said in the blogs, which tried to show that all the excos wanted to resign."
Razali also explained the matter to a student group from the Korea Umno Club at the Umno head office here on Sunday.
A party member who was assisting in the running of the meeting said there was no direct reference by the members for Khairy to quit his post.
The member, who declined to be identified, added: "Furthermore, there is no truth in reports that two- thirds of the members were asked to quit to enable the wing to have fresh elections."
He said the meeting largely discussed the Youth's plans for 2010.
“This is the first meeting of the year. All state representative were there to present their achievements in 2009 and their plan for his year. Everybody was just raring to go.
 “Yes, there was some issues about those leaders who are under-performed, for 2010 everybody must shape up or they just might be ship out, but there’s nothing specific about KJ, the reminder is for all Exco member,”
"But there was nothing specific about KJ. The reminder was for all exco members."
"They spoke mainly on current issues, like the court's judgement on 'Allah' and the role of Umno Youth in being the voice of the people."
Hisham's stand on the issue
In Johor Baru, Hishammuddin said calls by some bloggers for Khairy to quit his post were not accurate.
"I understand that the bloggers involved do not know head or tail about what was discussed at the recent Umno Youth executive committee meeting," the Home Minister and Umno-vice-pressident told reporters Sunday.
He did not dismiss the possibility that the reports were made due to some people's personal interest. - Malaysian Mirror
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