Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin said Umno had never abused the rights of other races and that the party should not be viewed as racist.

To prove his point, Khairy singled out the Sungai Siput, Kapar, Kota Raja (all MIC seats) and Tanjung Pi (MCA) as examples of Malay-majority parliamentary seats that were shared with other Barisan Nasional component parties.

"In seat distributions, there are far more eligible candidates from Umno. But, we are being generous," said Khairy during his winding-up speech at the Umno Youth general assembly today.

"There are presidents of component parties who have no place to contest because they do not have a seat where their race form the majority, but we let them contest (in Malay-majority seats)," he said.

Khairy stressed that Umno allowed BN component parties to contest in such seats because they were friends and stressed that Umno was generous.

"Thus don't accuse Umno of being racist. This is the party which protects the honour of Barisan Nasional," he added.

A warning to component parties?

However, Khairy conceded that Umno could not rule the country without other component parties.

Sungai Siput is presently represented by MIC president and Works Minister S Samy Vellu while Tanjung Pi is represented by MCA president and Local Government and Housing Minister Ong Ka Ting.

Kapar is represented by MIC Wanita chief Komala Krishna Moorthy while Kota Raja is represented by MIC Youth chief SA Vigneswaran.

Khairy's statement has been seen as a response to BN component parties which have took subtle digs at Umno during their respective party annual general meetings over the past year.

On the controversial keris issue, Khairy said Umno Youth would be raising the traditional Malay weapon during every annual general meeting for the Youth wing.

"Don't ask us if we are going to raise the keris again. As long as Umno Youth exist, the keris would be raised - forever.

"If an Umno Youth member does not raise the keris, they would be considered traitors to Umno and the Malays," he said.

Hisham's future plans

In another development, Khairy appeared to hint that Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein would be contesting for a higher post in the party.

"This is likely the last Umno Youth general assembly for many (exco members) because they would be moving on to the 'adult realm'," said Khairy.

However, he said previous Umno Youth chiefs managed to preserve a network of supporters within the Youth wing that would assist them in their political careers.

He then pledged Umno Youth support for Hishammuddin.

Khairy, 31, is widely tipped to succeed Hishammuddin, 46, during party elections next year. Hishammuddin, on the other hand, is strongly rumoured to make a bid for the presently vacant vice-president post.