Despite five-way, Khairy seen strolling to Umno Youth win
(MMO) – The race to lead Umno Youth is set to be a predictable affair unless incumbent Khairy Jamaluddin throws his four challengers a bone with a “blunder” in the run up to next week’s election, said political observers.
Although Bendang Baru Umno Youth chief Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi has emerged as a credible contender in the crowded race, Professor Dr Jayum Jawan of Universiti Putra Malaysia saw the youth and sports minister strolling across the finishing line.
“I don’t think it will be tight race unless Khairy makes a mistake leading up to the election; [if he] makes a blunder, then it could be a tight race,” Jayum told The Malay Mail Online yesterday.
Akhramsyah, the leading underdog in the contest, is trying to make an impact with his “Hidup Melayu” slogan in a bid to rally the movement’s grassroots members on his side.
He is also believed to have the backing of party members loyal to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
“I think he is young, he has some idea in the process transforming Umno, he might be the one that will fit the bill although he himself does not have ability or vision in how to transform the Youth and how the Youth can play role in Umno,” the professor said of the son of the former Umno secretary-general and former agriculture minister Tan Sri Sanusi Junid.
“There is not a lot to back [Akhramsyah] to unseat Khairy.”
Separately, a senior Umno leader, who declined to be named, agreed with Jayum when contacted by The Malay Mail Online and said he was “right on the dot” that Khairy should have no trouble keeping the post.
Despite the rosy outlook for his campaign, Khairy will not find himself entirely bereft of obstacles from now until next Saturday.
