DAP has failed to win support from Malays and is therefore not as democratic than Umno, according to Khairy Jamaluddin who heads Umno Youth.

He said that the exit of Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak from the party is a sign that many Malays have lost confidence in DAP.

NONE "They accuse Umno of being a Malay-based party and yes we are that ... the DAP has said it is a party for all but yet has failed to implement that policy," Berita Harian quoted him as saying.

"DAP has to ask itself why Malays won’t join the party even though it has been around for a while.”

Utusan Malaysia

reported Khairy’s view that Umno is far more "open and democratic" than Pakatan Rakyat parties, despite claims to the contrary.

He said DAP, PKR and PAS leaders are picked only by the top echelons of the parties and not by those at the grassroots.

Khairy - who will defend his post against three contenders - also lauded competition for the post of vice-presidents and the Wanita head in the upcoming Umno elections as examples of true party democracy.

azlan Meanwhile, Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir (left) has expressed confidence that voters will pick BN over PAS in the upcoming Sungai Limau state by-election.

PAS has held the seat for 20 years, but it was left vacant by the death of Azizan Abdul Razak due to heart problems last week.

Berita Harian quoted Mukhriz as saying that, even though BN is seen as the "underdog", he believes many will change and buy into the coalition’s development plan for the state.

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