Najib clarifies Khairy’s role

PATTAYA, April 11 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar had stated his willingness to concentrate on party activities although he was not given a Cabinet post.

"He understands his situation and it's not a problem for him," said Najib when asked about comments by some quarters that the Umno Youth chief should be given a role in the Cabinet.

At a press conference with the Malaysian press here last night, Najib had said it was impossible to please everybody.

"I choose to satisfy the public at large, the people come first," he said in response to dissatisfaction by some quarters in Umno about the Cabinet line-up, including from those who won posts in the party's elections recently.

However, Najib said he would also look into the political aspects of the party structure and the situation of the government in efforts to stengthen the party.

Following the new Cabinet line-up announcement on Thursday, Khairy had said that he was willing the help the prime minister strengthen Umno especially Umno Youth. — Bernama

Let us not kid ourselves. They can probably said this to a kindergarten kid and get away with it but not the rest of Malaysians. Everybody knows Najib didn't include KJ in because of Mahathir's explicit warning. Najib didn't dare goes against the old man's wishes because he still exert a substantial influence over UMNO. He can say whatever he wants but we all can safely conclude that Mahathir's got Najib under his thumb.

KJ might be brash and brave but he's no fool. To go against the man who almost single-handedly brought down his father in law and several previous prime ministers would be a political suicide. I mean the old man is already 84 and if he waits another 3-4 years he'd probably be gone by then. Then only can he makes his move up the political ladder.