Pak Lah says Khairy won fairly

By Lee Wei Lian, The Malaysian Insider

Sidestepping Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's attack on Khairy Jamaluddin's election as Umno Youth chief, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said his son-in-law deserved the victory as he worked hard for it.

The Prime Minister, who handed over the Umno presidency to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday, said the party polls were done according to procedure despite Dr Mahathir's claims that Umno Youth had endorsed money politics by electing Khairy.

"What is there to be raising all sorts of questions again and making people doubt about the election and choice of leaders, now is the time to look forward, do what is needed to strengthen party," said Abdullah, who is speculated to step down as Prime Minister next week.

"I'm happy for Khairy that he won. He worked very hard," he added.

Dr Mahathir wrote his latest post at his chedet.cc, saying he chose not to attend Umno general assembly opening because he did not want to be associated with a corrupt organisation.

His son Datuk Mukhriz came out third behind Datuk Seri Mohamed Khir Toyo in the three-way fight for the Umno Youth post.

The former Umno president and member had called Mukhriz's rivals corrupt and campaigned against them.

The veteran politician handed over power to Abdullah in October 2003 but later waged a campaign to unseat him after saying both his successor and the son-in-law had undermined his legacy.

Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister had also said Najib has not shone as deputy to Abdullah but hoped he can form a clean cabinet to ensure Umno remained in power.