Blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, better known as Papagomo, said Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin is now his choice for party presidency in the June 30 elections.
Two weeks ago, the Wangsa Maju Umno division membe supported Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, but now has changed his mind after Khairy joined the race for the top post.
Wan Muhammad Azri said party members should take into consideration whether the leader would be appealing to the general public when facing the next general election.
"Looking at this scenario, I am confident that Khairy can do his best to regain the confidence of the general public, especially the youth," he told Malaysiakini.
Previously, Wan Muhammad Azri had urged the party's acting president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to make way for Razaleigh, or fondly known as Ku Li, to helm the party.
"I and many others want Razaleigh as Umno president. Give way to Razaleigh to take on this responsibility for the sake of Umno, and not for the interest of any individuals," he had said in a statement on June 8.
Speaking to Malaysiakini yesterday, he said: "If we are talking only about Umno, Ku Li is the right person (for president's post). But if we want to talk about the party and the people, Khairy will be the right choice."
Being a young president, he said Khairy (photo) will be able to secure the support of the young voters in time for the 15th general election.
"Ku Li is old, many can assist him. But Khairy is able to repair the party and win in the next general election," he added.
"Ku Li is like a father to me. Before the announcement of Khairy, I was attracted to Ku Li because there is no negative perception against him. He has no integrity issue that can be attacked by Pakatan Harapan government."
While acknowledging Zahid's contribution to Umno, Wan Muhammad Azri explained that he rejected the acting president for he may be targetted by the new government which is probing several alleged wrongdoings involving the previous administration.
If Zahid helms Umno, he said the party will again be busy handling negative perceptions, similar during the rule of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
"Nowadays, the people are more inclined to believe in perception," Wan Muhammad Azri noted.
The Umno president's post will see a seven-cornered fight between Zahid, Tengku Razaleigh, Khairy, Rahmat Azim Abdul Aziz, Rosile Saat, Mohamed Iqbal Maricair and Mohd Yusof Musa @Jamaluddin.
Meanwhile, Umno information chief Annuar Musa and ousted Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan, another delegate from Pekan, Mohd Afnalizam Mohd Salim, will contest the deputy president's post.
Wan Muhammad Azri said he will support Mohamad Hasan as Khairy's deputy, although both of them are from the Rembau division.
As for himself, he said he is going for the Umno Youth exco member and Wangsa Maju division deputy chief posts.
"With my experience, I hope to help the wing to get close to the young people."
Meanwhile, Wan Muhammad Azri felt that Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos was not serious about running for the Youth chief post.
"I felt that Jamal was only 'berlawak' (being funny), he was not serious in contesting. He has not come back until now.
"Just forget about him, we should focus on three candidates. They are Pahang Youth chief Mohd Shahar Abdullah, Youth vice-chief Khairul Azwan Harun and Umno supreme council member Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki."
Five others aiming for the Youth chief post are Syed Rosli Syed Harman, Mohd Nor Izzat Mohd Johari, Wan Md Hazlyn Agyl Wan Hassan, Abdul Razak Mohd Yusof and Irwan Azhar Amin. - Mkini
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