Saturday May 11, 2013

GE13: Khairy: BN must analyse trust deficit

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional must do an in-depth study and analysis on its trust deficit if it wants to restore voter trust and confidence within the next five years.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said it was imperative for Barisan, the Government and its agencies to counter the post-general election claims and contentions levelled against them in the social media, which could potentially undermine voter confidence.

“For instance, the issue about Bangladeshi voters, the blackout during vote counting in Bentong, ballot boxes being brought in suddenly ... These must be explain-ed quickly.

“The explanations would also benefit the fair, rational and open-minded voters and those loyal to Barisan,” he said while being interviewed in Hello Malaysia over Bernama TV last night.

The Rembau MP said Barisan could regain trust and confidence through doubling its efforts in the transformation programme introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“There is no magic pill to redeem our credibility in just one day. But if we are sincere in the transformation and keep our promises, I believe the voters will eventually come to our side. But we have to do it quickly. We have to respond to the allegations fanned by Anwar.”

He said this in reference to claims by PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the Opposition lost to Barisan in the 13th general election because of fraud.

Khairy challenged Anwar to provide evidence of his claims.

On the Opposition's rallying cry, Ubah, in the election, Khairy said both Barisan and Pakatan Rakyat had pledged in their campaigns to bring about change for the people and it was the voters' prerogative to choose the party they trusted more.

Khairy also offered himself for a post in the Cabinet.

“I'm offering myself to be given a role, any role that can help him (the Prime Minister) and I leave it to him to decide”, he said on calls for him to be included in the new Cabinet to represent the youths.

He said his presence in the Cabinet would not only be to represent the youths, but to form a strong team capable of implementing transformation.

“I hope the Prime Minister will choose a team which understands transformation and is ready to implement it,” he added.

In the GE13, Khairy retained the parliamentary seat with an increased majority of 18,357 votes, compared to only 5,746 in the 12th general election.

He garnered 43,053 votes to defeat Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) Radzali A. Ghani, who obtained 24,696 votes, and Independent Abdul Aziz Hassan (325 votes).

For more election stories, please visit The Star's GE13 site

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