Umno Youth Should Rejuvenate Pressure Group Role - Mukhriz

KULAI, May 1 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth should rejuvenate its pressure group role in conveying the people's message to the party leadership in line with the wishes of the grassroots for change and development.
Its executive council member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said the time had come for the movement's members not to be afraid of being accused of not supporting the party leadership, but to put Umno on the right track in the interest of the Malays and the people at large.
"Party members and the people see Umno Youth as a channel to convey information to the party leadership. When the party leaders make a decision, sometimes there'll be a reaction from the grassroots. So the role of Umno Youth is to get their message across.
"This used to be the case although Umno Youth might have a different view from the party leadership's. But since it reflected the opinion of the masses, the party leaders inevitably had to accept its view and stand on an issue. This is the kind of pressure group role that Umno Youth should play."
Mukhriz, who is also Jerlun MP, told this to reporters after a dialogue organised by Tenggara division Umno Youth here.
He said Umno Youth under the leadership of Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein in the last 10 yars had played that role to some extent in a courteous manner.
Meanwhile, Mukhriz welcomed members contesting the Umno Youth chief post during the party elections in December as it would provide them an opportunity to carry out their vision and mission for the party.
He said the contest should take place with decorum and he himself aspired to win back the five states lost to the opposition and to restore Umno's honour.
tunku : what mukhriz said is right but we want to know what mukhriz' pan and action will be if he is elected as the youth chief. now till december he needs to lay out his plan so that the members will have confidence in him, otherwise he will still be known as dr mahathir's son. for a start he's doing good job by going around explaining things to the members.mukhriz need to do more in order to restore Umno's honour.