I Won't Accept Minister's Post As Long As Abdullah Is PM, Says Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth vice-head Khairy Jamaluddin said he would not accept any offer to join the Cabinet as long as Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is the Prime Minister.

Khairy, who is also the Member of Parliament for Rembau, said he had informed his father-in-law of the matter before the general election on March 8, and Abdullah had acepted his stand.

"That's not fair to PM (Prime Minister). I stayed out of his way as much as possible. I'm just a normal MP and want to focus on my job. There are people who are there to help and assist him," he told reporters after attending the meeting of the Umno Youth Exco and State Umno Youth heads which was chaired by the movement's head, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein at the Umno headquarters, at Menara Dato Onn, here today.

Khairy said this when commenting on the allegation that he had influenced the Prime Minister's decision in making government policies, and responding to reporters' question why he was not included in the new Cabinet line-up announced by Abdullah in Putrajaya today.

He said his focus now was to discharge his duty as a member of parliament in the Dewan Rakyat to face the opposition.

On the outcome of the March 8 general election which saw five states falling to the opposition, Khairy said it was a lesson to the BN to be more sensitive to the voice of the people.

"I have learnt that we have to listen to the people more, and the party needs to listen to the people more. We cannot isolate ourselves, we must reform the party and take note," he said.

On the claim that he was the cause for the BN defeat, Khairy said the defeat was a joint responsibility and the actual reason for the defeat would be studied.

"I'm not bothered if people make all kinds of accusations. What is important is to build up the party. If it's found that my services are not required in the party, then we will have a party election soon, let the election decide on the future of Umno leaders.

"But I will not shirk from my responsibility as the Umno Youth vice-head. I have the responsibility of regaining the strength of Umno Youth and BN Youth," he said, conceding that everyone have their personal shortcomings.

Khairy said: "All of us from the top leadership down to the grassroots including myself must do some soul-searching. Certainly from the indications given by the people, there are many shortcomings from the personal level right up to the party."

On the decision of the Umno Youth Exco meeting today which did not take any action on the Member of Parliament for Jerlun who is also Umno Youth Exco Member, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, who had called on Abdullah to step down as the Prime Minister through a letter written last week, Khairy said it was the personal view of Mukhriz.

He said further discussion on the matter was "counter productive", and what was important was that the majority of the party members supported the leadership of Abdullah and his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, to continue to lead the country.



-- BERNAMA