Umno can expect to face difficulties in regaining youth support following the party’s move to sack openly critical leaders, including former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin, according to party vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
In an interview with Malay-daily Utusan Malaysia, the former prime minister said Umno has taken a step back and sent the wrong signal to youths that dissenters will be silenced with either a suspension or sacked from the party.
“We’re giving them (youths) the wrong signal. That there is no democracy in Umno, (dissenters are) either sacked or fired. That is their current perception of Umno.
“They (youths) are observant and want leaders who were sacked from Umno, like Khairy. He (Khairy) is open in criticising the party, and for the youths, that is something reasonable.
“That is why I said youths are idealistic. They want (Umno) members to be given freedom. Youths will not be a part of a party that restricts their freedom,” Ismail Sabri (above) was quoted as saying.
Khairy, along with former Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar, was given the boot by the party’s supreme council for alleged sabotage during the 15th general election (GE15), while a slew of other leaders and members were suspended for six years.
Khairy has since defended his criticisms against Umno and said he will not appeal the decision.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri noted how Umno had lost youth support, including among first-time voters who were automatically registered, in GE15 and the trend is expected to continue in the upcoming state elections due by June.
“We faced a similar problem in the recent GE15, where we ended up being rejected by youths and professionals,” he said, adding that Umno’s failure to change would once again see people losing hope in the party. - Mkini
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