YOURSAY 'Are there progressives and conservatives in the party? KJ, please tell us what progressive ideas you are espousing. Spell them out;'

Khairy: The progressives have triumphed

your say, Yoursay Ferdtan: Campaigning as a progressive, Khairy Jamaluddin's win as Umno youth chief is a welcome result; he is seen as a much lesser evil than the other candidates. We hope that Khairy with such a momentous victory, stays true to his new brand of politics.

In the past during his moments of weakness and panic at the seemingly waning support from the members, he sometimes compromised his beliefs by issuing unreasonable, divisive, rhetoric to warm the hearts of his ultras in the party.

So Khairy, don't look back as now you have the overwhelming mandate. There is no more excuse to play the extremist to the gallery. For the sake of Malaysia, we hope and like to believe that it is new politics that won the day in the Umno election.

ustAMalaysian: Congratulations, Khairy. My plea to you is: Be a progressive politician, talk and act like a leader of all Malaysians, start to assert your rational views and rise above communal politics. One day you will rise to the pinnacle and every Malaysian will be proud of you.

Onyourtoes: Are there progressives and conservatives in the party? KJ, please tell us what progressive ideas you are espousing. Spell them out; surely we would like to hear them.

Your ideas on 'Tanda Putera' were as archaic as any of the nincompoops in the party. You have no position on the latest Audit-General's Report, especially those related to your ministry.

You have no gall to make a whimper on the "police shoot first" stance. Do you have a position on Shahrizat Abdul Jalil's victory as Wanita chief? What signal is the party sending to the country?

To me if Umno really aspires for reform and renewal, Shahrizat should not have stood and the delegates should not have elected her.

Please don't kid yourself; there is no reform and progressiveness; only incumbency, and "old boy" connections. The vested interests club prevails.

SAJ: KJ means he has one over the Mahathir-Mukhriz gang. Now wait for the disqualification.

1Mockery: Right from the onset we had predicted Khairy will win handsomely simply because there are no credible challengers to him. It just goes to show Umno lacks talents at all levels.

Aquinas Says: Contrary to what KJ says, his win does not mean Umno members want reforms. Proof? Shahrizat won too. It shows other things like the power of incumbency and lack of credible challengers.

But not for one second do I belief that progressive ideas are what Umno stands for. Watch, as Umno becomes more regressive over the next few months.

Ksn: Congratulations, Khairy. You said it is a victory for the progressives. I will call it a sort of defeat for the fanatics. More than that, it is a slap on the face for the USD44 billion man.

Now what do you intend to do with your so-called victory for the progressives? Will you and your youth convey to the Umno Baru members and supporters that Malaysia has no choice?

She has to adopt progressive and broad-minded ways with all the races coming together to build a united nation that emphasises development and harmony. Not anyone, any segment, any community, should be left out.

You and your youths can start the ball rolling; I am aware that your influence is limited. But we have to start somewhere before we fail as a nation as it appears to me that we are going downhill with fanatics and gangsters holding top positions in Umno Baru and the government.

I wish I could say the same thing about Shahrizat's victory, which is a step backwards in good governance.

Fairplayer: Khairy, be true to yourself and the Malaysian rakyat. Don't adopt the toe-the-line culture as required by Umno big bosses. Uphold democracy if Umno youth is truly progressive.

Malaysian Born: Let's hope that this is an indication of a more balanced and forward looking Umno youth. After the entry of Perkasa types, there is no more room for extreme and irrational approaches, Umno has taken a severe beating in credibility and needs to rise above it. Perhaps interesting times lie ahead if Khairy and his crew hold their course.

Ddeo: Congratulations to Khairy. There's no doubt that if Khairy and his progressive faction maintains its strength within Umno, we'll see positive change in wider Malaysia. This could be a historic turning point when we look back in 20 or 30 years.

TheSilentMajority: This is vintage Umno - one step forward, two steps back. KJ progressive?

After all the one-eyed man is king in the land of the blind. It is very clear from the 'no contest' at the top Umno is willing and able to keep focused on the 'needs', i.e. who can deliver the goods desired?

Allegiance of grassroots, 'close one eye' to dubious values (e.g. money politics), use the Malay cause to enrich themselves and families etc. Wouldn't they choose a leader that has a proven track record in these areas? I would.

SaveMalaysiaNow: KJ is a forward thinking progressive modern Muslim that most Malaysians need. He will make a great future prime minister for Malaysia.

I am sure that with him at the helm, the Chinese, Indians and non-Malays will return to the BN fold. Even me, a staunch Pakatan supporter, will consider returning to the BN fold.

PHRMPREET: We must support the progressive elements which put Malaysia first in any party and for that very reason I am happy with KJ's win and also hope that people like Saifuddin Abdullah, Nur Jazlan Mohd, etc. also win big in the current elections.

Let us not write off the party members of Umno who are forward thinking. In fact we should support them. By painting everyone in BN with the same brush as evil and corrupted, we will only be strengthening the hand of the extremist elements e.g. Perkasa.

Therefore give credit where it is due or at least do not knock down someone for the sake of knocking down, just because he is not of the party of your liking.

Thana55: KJ's win is a reflection and endorsement that Umno lacks a talented bench. So the recycling continues; Isa Samad? Ali Rustam?

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