JAKARTA, Sept 24- Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir is free to vie for the Umno vice-president seat, but Umno Youth members have not been asked or told to support any particular candidate at the party polls next month, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said.
“He is free to contest, we have no objection,” he said.
“And it is up to the delegates to vote. I never asked Youth members to support any particular candidate. They are free to make their choice,” he told reporters after meeting Malaysian students in Indonesia at the Malaysia Hall here today.
Khairy, who is also Youth and Sports Minister, is in a two-day visit to Indonesia starting today. He is scheduled to leave for Palembang tomorrow where the ongoing Islamic Solidarity Games is being held.
Mukhriz and Khairy had contested in a straight fight for the Umno Youth chief post at the last party election.
In this year’s Umno election, Khairy is being challenged by four candidates, namely Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi, Syed Rosli Syed Harman Jamalullail, Abd Karim Ali and Irwan Ambak Khalid Izhar.
Meanwhile, Mukhriz is vying for one of the three vice-president seats.
The contest will see a six-corner fight between incumbents Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and their three challengers, namely Mukhriz, Felda Chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad and former Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.
In another development, Khairy said he had advised the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to find proper solution to its problem with national singles coach Rashid Sidek.
He said BAM should also take into account Rashid’s deeds and contribution to the country before taking any action against him.
“I hope BAM will make a wise decision, regardless of the outcome of its investigation. There is really no need to impose heavy punishment on Rashid,” he said in response to the controversy following Rashid’s sudden resignation and the fact that he was reported to have signed a one-year contract with India Badminton League since June.
– BERNAMA
