Shadow over Umno

(The Nut Graph) – AFTER more than two hours and three recounts, Umno Youth's new chief was finally confirmed at 11.30pm on 25 March, 2009. Khairy Jamaluddin, with 304 votes, beat rivals Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir (232 votes) and Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo (254 votes) in a closely-fought contest at the wing's general assembly today.

The long wait saw observers at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC)'s main floor getting restless. Rumours had placed Khairy, who was deputy to outgoing chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, and Mukhriz running head to head.

Rival camps, trying to occupy the time, tried to drown each other out with rowdy chanting. One impatient supporter, fed up, shouted "Let Khairy win already!"

The situation after the Umno Youth results were announced was very tense. Rival supporters outside Dewan Tun Hussein Onn were chanting "KJ rasuah, KJ penipu!"

Police were called in to calm the crowd, and they formed a human chain to separate supporters and prevent any violence.

The scuffle is indicative of a problem that shadows Khairy's win. On 17 March, the Umno disciplinary committee found him guilty of breaching the party's code of ethics, due to alleged money politics. Although they then let him off with a warning, it is an allegation that casts doubt on his commitment to the party's official crusade against internal corruption.

Khairy's victory may also be read as a willingness for the party's Youth wing to return to Malay ultra-nationalism.

During the day's debate session, Umno Youth information chief Azimi Daim began measuredly, saying that it was necessary for the wing to assist the party in regaining grassroots appeal. "We must become the voice that is seen as representing the cause of the people, and not that of sycophants," Azimi said.

Vitriol seemed directed at the opposition. Outgoing chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had earlier styled opposition leader (and former Umno member) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as a Malay (Malaysian) traitor. He kissed the keris, but lust for Chinese Malaysian blood was not discussed. Umno's enemy was opposition politicians, not other races.

However, with Permatang Pauh delegate Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said, the rhetoric turned overtly racial. Asking "If Umno cannot defend Ketuanan Melayu, then who will?", Mohd Zaidi urged the party to lift its suspension of former Bukit Bendera division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail.

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