Umno cannot afford to ignore the politics of sentiment, warns Khairy

(NST) – Party members cannot afford to bury their heads in the sand when negative sentiments are being flung at Umno and its leaders.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has issued a warning that the party will suffer should its members ignore the politics of sentiment.

He said party members cannot afford to bury their heads in the sand when negative sentiments are being flung at Umno and its leaders.

“It is not enough to focus only on the politics of services by continuing to render the best of services to the people,” he said when opening Putrajaya Division’s Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings assemblies last night.

He warned party members that negative sentiments could erase all the good services that they had given to the people.

“If the general election only focuses on services, we can easily win, hands down.

“If we don’t conquer the (negative) sentiments, the services you have rendered will not be good enough (to win the general election),” he said.

In this respect, Khairy said, Umno members must rise up against the negative sentiments by highlighting the positive developments, including Malaysia’s strong growth amidst the uncertain economic climate, and the creation of 1.8 million new jobs in the country.

Party members, he said, must also stand with the party leadership in a strong united front.

“We are now faced with very high level of prejudice and bias,” he said, noting that allegations raised must be proven first and not blindly accepted especially among party members.

Citing recent reports relating to civil claims filed by the United States’ Justice Department, Khairy said everyone has a right to defend oneself in the court.

He also called on members to be brave in defending the truth and justice no matter what, even if it means being labelled a lackey.

“We are facing big opponents who had previously held top posts in the party, from vice-president, deputy president and former party president, who have left and are forming a new party.

“This is a direct challenge to us.”

Khairy stressed on the importance of having a winning mentality so that the people would have faith in the party.

On Putrajaya, he said the party must defend the administrative capital at all cost.

“Putrajaya will be a big battlefront (in the next general election). This is the centre of democracy and its symbolic value is extremely huge.”