For Umno, Anwar’s ‘young guns’ a gimmick

(Bernama) – Umno members have dismissed Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s promise to field young faces as the party candidates  in the coming general election as a political ploy.

Umno Youth vice-chief Datuk Razali Ibrahim said it showed that the opposition chief was beginning to realise the need for the party to approach the young generation to ensure its continuity.

“The statement by Anwar, to me, is just to get the support of the young people. My advice to the young generation is not to be influenced by it.

“I also see the need for Anwar to attract the young generation because the seniors are beginning to reject PKR. So, he has to fill the vacuum with young blood,” he said when contacted by Bernama here today.

Yesterday, Anwar said in Singapore that PKR would field young people, from aged 20 to 30, as the party’s candidates in the coming general election.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Umno liaison secretary, Datuk Wira Syed Ali Al-Habshee, said Anwar’s statement proved that PKR was desperate.

“Many credible leaders have left PKR because they are not happy with Anwar’s style of leadership.

“However, the young generation in the country is aware of Anwar’s political game and manipulation in his efforts to be in power,” he added.