Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad today shredded the Umno Youth movement to pieces for electing Khairy Jamaluddin as their head.

mahathir and rais yatim pc 190309 01 Without mincing his words, the Umno president of 22 years accused the Youth wing of soiling the party's image by endorsing a politician who is 'known to be corrupt'.

On Wednesday, Khairy - the son-in-law of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi - defeated Mahathir's son Mukhriz and former Selangor menteri besar Mohd Khir Toyo for the coveted post.

Expressing sadness over his son's defeat, which observers viewed as a rejection of the Mahathir dynasty, the 83-year-old statesman however denied it was this which stopped him from attending the assembly.

The real reason for his absence, the former premier said, was because "Umno Youth openly and directly endorsed corruption".

Inadequate punishment

"They chose a leader found guilty of using money and inducements in his bid to become Youth chief. Whether he was allowed to contest or not, it does not negate the fact that he is corrupt.

"The punishment meted on this person is inadequate and unfair because others found guilty of a similar offence were barred from contesting," he said in his latest blog posting.

"There has never been a case where a person known and acknowledged as being corrupt by the disciplinary committee, the party and the public is elected and heralded as a leader.

"This is what was done by Umno Youth, which was once renowned as the frontline force of the Umno struggle," he lamented

khairy jamaluddin jump over to hug mukhriz mahathir after winning umno youth chief 2009 contest 260309 Khairy was let off with a stern warning by the disciplinary committee whereas deputy presidential candidate Mohd Ali Rustam was barred from contesting.

The duo were found guilty of money politics through their respective agents but the committee reasoned that in Khairy's case, there was a 'weak link' between him and the agent.

'Money takes precedence'

Reiterating that Umno Youth has ruined the image of Umno and the Malays, Mahathir said: "It appears that money takes precedence over race and country."

"Will the public accept being led by a corrupt leader?" he asked.

The former premier is also puzzled by the more than six hours needed to count 790 votes in the Youth wing contest.

"Don't the counting agents know how to count? Or was something done to engineer a victory for the premier's son-in-law. This is not my question, but the question from everyone.

"There is no point for the prime minister to talk about corruption when his corrupt son-in-law is given special treatment. This episode will further erode the people's confidence in Umno," he said.

"These are the reasons why I did not attend. I felt that my image would be tarnished if I am in the company of those who endorse corruption," he added.

After the results were announced on Wednesday night, Khairy was seen jumping across the barrier in the podium to greet Mukhriz and both of them hugged before raising their hands together. ( right )

But that did not stop 200 angry Mukhriz supporters from holding an impromtu protest in which the police had to be called in.