Khairy: Cabinet needs young blood

KUALA LUMPUR: More youths have been encouraged to fill the Cabinet as currently there is only one Minister under the age of 40.
Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said there are undeniable generation and demographic shifts that are taking place in this new generation.
"I refer to the party president's wise words at the Umno convention in Johor where he said - give young people space and opportunity, the young should not be seen as a threat but as a hope," Khairy said when addressing the 985 delegates at his Umno Youth Wing policy speech.
He also said that Umno needs to have a mixture of the senior and younger generation to stay relevant and fight for the party's agenda.
"Do we still see the young as errand boys and extra muscle to hang up party colours and ferry voters on motorcycles every time there is an election? This may be so 50 years ago, but the world and its ways have changed. And if we refuse to change, it is our place which will change through the young voters' ballots," Khairy said.
Khairy also questioned the Umno senior members for not having the trust in young people to be more involved with the party.
"If that is the trend of our political foes, where is our wow factor? Are there not enough intellectuals, gifted orators or fiery debaters among the young in Umno to be elevated?," Khairy asked.
In recent times, UMNO Youth's focus was on bringing change to the young people of Malaysia through the politics of service.
"But what is sometimes unsavory, is that our sincerity is doubted, spat upon and questioned. Not by outsiders, but from those within our own party. UMNO Youth has become an easy punching bag. If there is anything wrong or off in the party, any mistakes when carrying out our duties, it is always us who will be blamed,"Khairy said.
He said Tan Sri Rais Yatim became Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan at 36 years old...Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah was Petronas chairman at 35, and Finance Minister at 39 years old,same goes for the father of our President, the late Tun Razak who was elevated to become Menteri Besar of Pahang at the age of 33, and deputy prime minister when he was 35 years old.
"Unfortunately we have fallen behind times. It is only I (the leader of UMNO Youth) as the sole Cabinet minister below the age of 40. This is not something that I want...I want you and many more of my peers to join me! It is only then that there is transformation," Khairy said.