Hishamuddin will not defend youth chief post

PUTRAJAYA: Umno youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein will not defend his post during the party elections in December.
He said he made known his decision early to pave way for those who want to vie for the post later as well as for the betterment of the party and for the wing to move forward.
However, he did not state which post he was vying for. He added that he would wait for the party and delegates to decide if he would move on to higher posts such as the vice-president or deputy president posts.
"If the party wants me to move on, I will; but at the end of the day, it is not for me to decide," he said.
Those whose names had cropped up recently showing interest to lead the youth wing are Umno Youth executive council member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo.
Hishammuddin said he had already planned to let go of the youth chief post a long time ago but did not want to make it public then.
He changed his mind and decided to state his stand after hearing the two men's offer for the post and their intention not to challenge him, he said.
"After being at the helm of the youth wing for 10 years from the time there was a split, I find the youths are still united and hear their call for the new generation to bring transformation to the wing and the party.
"If the wing is in a situation where it does not know my plans in December, that becomes a barrier for us to move forward.
"So it is time for me to give way for new faces to lead the wing in December," he told reporters Thursday after announcing the second report card of the Education Development Masterplan 2006-2010.
Asked if he felt pressured to let go of the post after hearing both Mukhriz and Dr Mohamad Khir's interest, he said he was not denying that he supported Mukhriz.
On whether he wanted to see his deputy Khairy Jamaluddin contesting the chief post, Hishammuddin said it was not for him to say and that he could make decisions for himself only.
On his personal preference for the post, Hishammuddin said he had a personal preference but would keep it a secret as he had only one vote.
Hishammuddin, however, advised those who are vying for the youth chief post to always put their party's interest first, adding that he would continue to lead, guide and monitor the wing until his responsibility ends in December.
"I will always be with the party. I am confident that Barisan Nasional and Umno's struggle will always be relevant.
"We have gone through situations where we have to reinvent and revamp ourselves," he said, adding that the party's duty now was to rebuild the party and hear the voice of the people and grassroots instead of chasing for positions.

Hisham not defending Umno Youth post
Hishammuddin Hussein today said that he would not be defending his Umno Youth chief post in the party polls in December.
He however refused to confirm if he would be contesting for one of the three vice-president posts, stating that he was leaving it to party members and delegates.
Speaking at a press conference in Putrajaya today, Hishammuddin said that he was making an early announcement on his intention not to defend his Umno Youth post so as to allow others to be prepared to contest for the post.
Hishammuddin has been the head of the youth wing since 2000.
He also refused to comment if he would back Umno Youth exco member Mukhriz Mahathir for the post. Mukhriz had previously said that he would vie for the coveted post if Hishammuddin was not defending it.
Other potential contestants include Hishammuddin’s deputy, Khairy Jamaluddin, and former Selangor mentri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.
The party polls will be held from Dec 16 to 20.

More to follow

tunku : that is the best.pemuda umno needs new blood as their leader but of course not kj.so far mukhriz and khir toyo already said their intention to go for the post but i believe it would be better if khir toyo go for the vice president post.