Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin rained insults on PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and said the latter could "field his daughter, wife or even himself in Lembah Pantai and BN (Barisan Nasional) will say ‘bring it on’."

He dismissed the speculation that if Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah is fielded for the Lembah Pantai parliamentary seat, it could threaten BN.

khairy jamaluddin kpg kerinchi sedia gempur 200208 fiery However, Khairy is confident that BN and the incumbent Sharizat Abdul Jalil would retain the seat.

"We managed to maintain this seat as a BN stronghold even during the difficult period of our party’s history in 1999. We will do it again this March 8," he told some 500 supporters in Kampung Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur, last night.

Khairy, who is Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s son-in-law, addressed the gathering after launching the Umno Youth election machinery in the area.

The 32-year-old politician then embarked on a tirade against Anwar, adding that he wanted the opposition supporters in the area to hear his words.

"When I came here, I saw the flags of PKR raised. They (PKR) say this is a ‘grey’ area. Well, I say we will chase all of them out from Lembah Pantai," he said.

He repeatedly called Anwar a "traitor and hypocrite".

What has he done for the people?

Khairy also described the promise by PKR to provide free education, healthcare and reduce fuel price should be elected into power as mere election gimmicks.

"I did some calculations on PKR’s promises to give everything for free and do you want to know what would be the outcome? Our country will be as poor as the African nations.

anwar ibrahim vk lingam hearing pc 290108 talking "He (Anwar) acts like he cares about the rakyat. What has he ever done for the rakyat when he was in Umno and as finance minister?" he asked to a thunderous applause from the audience.

Anwar, who was once the number two in Umno, was by then premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1998 and was subsequently found guilty by the court on charges of corruption and sodomy.

He was released from prison in 2004 after the Federal Court upheld his appeal and overturned the sodomy conviction.

Cynical references

In his hard-hitting speech, Khairy also made cynical references to this. Drawing laughter from his audience, he said: " DAP main PAS dari kanan, PAS main DAP dari kiri, PKR main dua-dua dari belakang !"

The Umno Youth leader also cautioned voters not to be swayed by the opposition because unlike BN, the opposition does not have a consistent ideology.

Khairy also called Anwar an ‘opportunist’ for trying to capitalise on sentiments generated by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

"He says the Indians are victims of state marginalisation and corruption. Let me tell you something, he was the one who started money politics in Umno, he was the one who started corruption in Umno," he said.

Met by reporters later, Khairy was quizzed on the possibility of him contesting the Rembau parliamentary seat.

He said he could not cannot confirm whether or not he will contest in the seat and would leave the decision to the party’s top leadership.

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