Khairy wants Umno-PAS muzakarah

 

Lisa J. Ariffin, FMT 

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said a muzakarah between Umno and PAS is important to discuss a lot of issues concerning Muslims but will leave it the party leadership to decide.

Khairy said Umno Youth wanted to see this muzakarah happen but it was up to the party leaders to take the lead.

“I don’t want Pemuda to start this muzakarah. We need a holistic approach,” he said.

Khairy said the decision to discuss implementing an administration based on Islam with PAS rested with the Umno leadership.

“Muzakarah is important because there are a lot of worries among Muslims now and we need the cooperation of PAS.

“If there is no cooperation, then the important issues as raised by the deputy president (Muhyiddin Yassin) yesterday cannot be fulfilled,” he told reporters after his opening speech to Umno Youth at the PWTC earlier today.

Khairy said being progressive did not mean Umno Youth must leave behind the fight for race, religion and country.

“All that is raised by the deputy president is part of Pemuda.

“However, we must go beyond that. Those are our basic principles and more than that we must be seen to be relevant and contemporary to the new generation today,” he said.

Khairy also hinted that his current term as Umno Youth chief might be his last but added that it was too early to name a successor.

He said the spirit among the youth was strong judging from the response to his speech.

“I believe this is proof that the youth leadership can perform their duties well.

“I want to leave an accreditation programme so that future leaders will have contemporary and progressive political education and exposure.

“If I leave with no clear direction, there will be no same leadership pattern. If I leave accreditation, whoever comes after me will hold on to the same approach and vision,” he added.