Khairy contesting Umno top post to give members a choice in direction

KUALA LUMPUR: Outgoing Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin says he is contesting for the party's top post because he wants party members to have choice on where Umno should go.
Earlier today, Khairy who confirmed his candidacy for the post of Umno president shared a photograph of his nomination form via Instagram.
In a subsequent post on his Facebook page, Khairy said until a few days ago, he was adamant on contesting only the vice-presidency, which he said he withdrew from just hours ago.
"However, after thinking about the future and survival of Umno, I decided to contest the presidency because I want party members to have a choice on where Umno should go," he wrote.
Khairy will be go up against at least three people for the post.
Acting president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Gua Musang division chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah have also confirmed their interest as well as businessman blogger and Umno member, Rahmat Azim Abdul Aziz.
Ahmad Zahid, the party vice-president now handling the duties of the president following Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak's resignation last month, was the first to announce his candidacy for the No. 1 post.
Tengku Razaleigh, who is Gua Musang MP, confirmed his candidacy during a press conference at his home in Jalan Langgak Golf in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
Khairy, 42, said he has the highest respect for Razaleigh and even met him a few days ago to encourage him to run for the post.
Khairy added he sees Ahmad Zahid as an "elder brother" who has frequently given him advice.
"Of course I'm not as experienced as the other candidates. But I want delegates to be given another option that represents the transition generation in Umno.
"It is also an option on how our party can be rebuilt without forgetting its foundations," he added.