As part of its efforts to chart a new course for the party, Umno Youth has broken from tradition, to encourage its candidates to campaign openly ahead of the June 23 party polls.

Last night, it organised an event where about 40 candidates for all posts introduced themselves and relayed their plans, if elected.

Organiser and Federal Territories Umno Youth chief Razlan Rafii said this was part of changing the culture within Umno following its disastrous outing in the 14th general election.

“In the 2013 (party) elections we were not allowed to contest openly and many rules were put in place to bar us from campaigning...we used to be mere ‘models’ who were asked to go onstage to show ourselves off, but not to give any speeches.

“We need to change this, Umno Youth needs to change this so we can find leaders who dare to come to the front to talk, to touch on current ideas and to become peoples’ representatives.

“This is what we must do now that we have become the federal opposition,” he said in his opening speech at the Kompleks Yayasan Wangsa Perdana in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur.

Razlan himself is vying for a spot on the Umno Supreme Council.

Youth chief candidates square off

Two contestants vying to be Umno Youth Chief - Paya Besar MP Mohd Shahar Abdullah and former deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki - later addressed the 200 or so in the audience.

As one of the three youth MPs in the party, Shahar said he felt “responsible” to represent the voices of youth in the august house and to ensure Umno becomes a formidable opposition party.

“My role is to bring and defend the voices of youth from all of Malaysia (to Parliament) against the present government of the day.

“We should not be a weak opposition party, we must win in the 15th general election, don’t think that we can’t,” he said.

Meanwhile, Asyraf pledged to consolidate Umno and return it to its roots. He also promised to not stand in the next general election should he win the post.

“I am offering myself because I think is important for Umno to return to the roots of its struggle.

“I am determined that if I am given the chance to lead as the youth chief, I will not offer myself and do not want to be a candidate in the next general election. Because my focus is on returning the people’s trust to the party, and to show that change has begun with the youth,” he said.

Both also took questions from the floor and were asked for their strategies to counter Umno’s marred reputation, especially among youth.

Shahar suggested Umno carefully identify its target audience and work to endear themselves to that demographic, adding that the party needed “icons” who were able to explain their position on issues to both rural voters and youth.

Asyraf, however, suggested that “radical change” of the party’s leadership in order to reflect its commitment to reform.

“In this party election, we have to use radical change and choose leaders who are not just clean but seen to be clean. As well as leaders who are sincere in their struggle and seen to be so,” he answered.

The third contestant for the top post, incumbent deputy Youth chief Khairul Azwan Harun, could not attend while Umno Sungai Besar chief Jamal Md Yunos’ apparent candidacy was not recognised.

Umno scions vie for exco posts

Candidates for Umno deputy youth chief post, Umno Youth information chief Shahril Hamdan and Segamat Youth chief Bastien Onn also took turns onstage to present their thoughts, as did the 31 contenders who are vying to be Umno Youth executive councillors.

Among them are two scions of Umno veterans - Ridhwan Ali, the son of former Malacca chief minister Ali Rustam and Akmal Saufi Mohd Khaled, the son of former Johor Menteri Besar Mohd Khaled Nordin.

Also contesting is controversial blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, often known as Papagomo.

The event ended past midnight with an announcement that RM5,913 in donations had been collected for its “Tabung Bangkit Kembali” (Comeback Fund).