Umno Youth ready for Penanti by-election

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 9 — malaysianinsider— Bernama

Umno Youth is ready to face the Penanti state by-election in Penang although the Barisan Nasional (BN) has yet to decide whether to contest the seat.

Its chief Khairy Jamaluddin said the Penang Umno Youth had been asked to make early preparations for the by-election, to be held on May 31.

"We are now fully prepared. If the leaders blow the whistle, our machinery will immediately get down to work," he said after chairing a meeting with the Terengganu Umno Youth today.

Khairy said the issue of whether the BN dared to contest the seat or not did not arise as the by-election was called not because of the death of the incumbent or other reasons which necessitated a by-election.

"When the BN supreme council meets a week from now, we should look at the issue from that point of view... that the manner the by-election is forced, akin to mocking the country's democratic institution," he said.

The by-election was called following the resignation of its assemblyman Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin on April 16. Nomination day is on May 23.

Meanwhile, Khairy said he was happy to note that unity in Terengganu Umno Youth was strong.

He said members of the movement had vowed to support party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the state leadership under Datuk Ahmad Said.

Khairy said he had also asked Terengganu Umno Youth members to double their efforts to attract the young through various means, including through the use of information communication technology.

Khairy announced the appointment of Saifulbahri Baharuddin as the state Umno Youth chief, Khazan Che Mat (vice-chief), Apli Jusoh (secretary), Rosli Nooral Azhar @ Hassan (treasurer) and Hisham Zubir (information chief).