UMNO AGM Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has expressed concern with Malay youths having joined DAP, which he did not name but described as "that chauvinistic party".

Khairy said Malay youths were drawn to DAP because the party was seen to be giving opportunities to the young.

“Though inexperienced, one can become an election candidate. If we were to look in the Dewan Rakyat, there are many more young faces sitting across the aisle compared to our side. It is situations like these that form the perception that they are ready to uplift the young.

“If that is the trend of our political foes, where is our wow factor? Are there not enough intellectuals, gifted orators or fiery debaters among the young in Umno to be elevated?

“Or do we still see the young as errand boys and extra muscle to hang up party colours and ferry voters on motorcycles every time there is an election?

“This may be so 50 years ago, but the world and its ways have changed. And if we refuse to change, it is our place which will change through the young voters' ballots,” he added.

In his opening speech at the Umno Youth annual general assembly today, Khairy also lamented that sometimes, the wing’s sincerity is “doubted, spat upon and questioned.”

“The Umno Youth has become an easy punching bag. If there is anything wrong or off in the party, any mistakes when carrying out our duties, it is always us who will be blamed,” he said.

When Umno Youth members are not chosen as election candidates, Khairy said the wing is accused of sabotaging the party.

“All this, while we are the ones who will be up in the middle of the night fighting the enemy. This is not just an old story, but one that is constant and current,” he added.

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