The Kita Lawan movement has accused Khairy Jamaluddin of neglecting his ministerial duties to concentrate on his political career.

Speaking to reporters, Kita Lawan secretariat Akmal Nasir claimed that the youth and sports minister paid no heed to the welfare of youths, which included sporting goods being subjected to the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

"The Kita Lawan committee is organising a 'cyclathon' this weekend to protest the implementation of GST on sporting goods which has burdened young people.

"Khairy as the youth minister has never made a stand on GST.

"When young people are suffering with GST, Khairy is more focused on advancing his political career," he said.

The PKR Youth strategist also refuted the minister's statement that Kita Lawan does not have the same traction as the Reformasi movement in the late nineties.

Akmal said the Kita Lawan GST protest on May 1 would see greater participation than the rallies organised by Khairy, who is also Umno Youth chief.

"Before this Khairy has taken to the streets with his people (Umno Youth) but there was not much support because Malaysians are not with him.

"If he thinks Kita Lawan has no support, he should wait and see what happens on May 1 during the GST protest," he added.

'They are afraid'

Meanwhile, Simpang Pulai assemblyperson Tan Kar Hing said Khairy made the remark because he was afraid of Kita Lawan.

"They are afraid because it is not a one off movement but something that happens every week continuously.

"Young people have to show great support on May 1 and for the cyclathon this weekend," he added.

In a related development, PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad claimed that Khairy's statement was an attempt to divert attention from the problems in Umno.

He was referring to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) quagmire and the ongoing spat between Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak as well as the implementation of GST.

"Khairy should remember that the majority of people did not vote for BN in the last general election.

"I suggest that Khairy and BN do some introspection and refrain from political charades to show who is the greater supporter of Najib," he added in a media statement.