Khir: I’m not into money politics

SA’ODAH ELIAS

(The STAR)

CALLING himself a dark horse, Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo tells those who have accused him of indulging in political bribery to get their facts right and not to confuse political money (wang politik) with money politics (politik wang).

Q: Do you think that the extended campaign period of five months will be an advantage to you?

A: Of course. This will give me enough time not only to campaign but also gauge the ability of other Umno Youth leaders who can be appointed to head the bureaus if I win.

The much-longer campaign period will allow me to meet delegates to explain my stand on various issues, particularly those affecting the party.

Q: You have not been spared the allegation of money politics. It is said that among the three candidates, you have spent the most during the divisional meetings as you are an ex-mentri besar of the richest state in the country. Is it true?

A: That’s total rubbish. When I was mentri besar, I received only my salary and nothing else.

The Selangor state government dealings during my time were always transparent. I do not believe in money politics or other types of political bribery.

Please do not insult the delegates’ intelligence. They vote based on ability and leadership qualities, and not because of money.

People should learn to differentiate between “political money” and “money politics”. In politics, we need to spend money for various expenses, especially for logistics.

In the United States, political parties will ask for political donations from companies and individuals to finance their campaign activities. This is not bribery. Bribery is when you give in cash or in kind, like promises of datukships or positions, in return for support.

Q: Why did you choose to go for Umno Youth chief’s post and not the vice-president’s post, especially since you are already in the supreme council and received the highest votes in 2004?

A: A vice-president cannot make changes. By being Umno Youth chief, I feel I will be in a better position to introduce changes. So, I feel I can do a much better job.

Q: Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has the influence of his father to help him secure votes while Khairy Jamaluddin has a serving prime minister as a father-in-law to lend him support. What edge do you have against them?

A: What I have is very vast and diverse experience which I can use to help the party in the long run.

I have held the most menial of posts in Umno to one of the most important as a state liaison committee chairman. My work experience is equally vast.

I believe it is not a family tree that will decide which candidate will win the trust of the delegates but his ability, credibility and his attitude.

Q: Among the three candidates, you are seen as the least liberal. Among the non-Malays, you are even seen as an ultra-Malay. Is that an image that you have deliberately cultivated to gain support or is it more than mere image?

A: I believe Umno must stay true to its ideology if it wants to regain lost ground. That means, it cannot run away from race-based politics.

This must not be mistaken for racist politics. In fact, only through race-based politics can Umno be strong again.

Please do not misunderstand my stand as I am also wholly supportive of the need for other race-based component parties like the MCA and MIC to continue with their race-based agenda.

So long as we understand what our rights are, and go back to Barisan Nasional’s mechanism to resolve disputes, race-based parties will stay.

I do not understand why Umno leaders nowadays are too apologetic when it comes to racial issues. Where is our priority, to not hurt the feeling of the non-Malays or to uphold the rights of the Malays?

Q: What do you think is the best solution to address problems currently affecting Umno?

A: Umno must go back to its original form. It must not be shy to fight for Islam and for the Malays.

If it is not seen to be doing that, the Malays who are inclined towards religion will opt for PAS while liberal Malays will join Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

Do we want Umno to remain just a shell without strength and influence? Only when Umno is strong can it earn the respect of others and only then can we lead Barisan better.

Selingan : Aktiviti Terbaru Klinik Kesihatan Bergerak

Dr Novandri Hasan Basri

Klinik Kesihatan Bergerak Pemuda & Bahagian Bukit Gelugor telah terlibat di dalam Program Nur Bistari anjuran Majlis Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga & Masyarakat (Parlimen Bukit Gelugor) kelmarin.

Di majlis itu penulis telah memberikan ceramah kesihatan bertajuk 'Kanser serviks'.

Untuk pengetahuan semua, kanser serviks merupakan kanser yang boleh membawa maut tetapi penyakit itu boleh dicegah jika wanita lebih prihatin mengenai kesihatan diri sendiri dan mereka selalu membuat pap smear secara berkala.

Kanser serviks pula merupakan kanser nombor 2 yang paling lazim di kalangan wanita di negara ini. Kanser yang paling tinggi sekali ialah kanser payudara.

Selain daripada itu, penulis juga telah mengadakan sesi soal jawab di mana para peserta boleh menanyakan kemusykilan mereka mengenai isu-isu kesihatan.

Kira-kira 100 orang telah menghadiri program tersebut.

Penulis mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Puan Norliza, Pengerusi MPWKM Parlimen Bukit Gelugor merangkap Ketua Wanita Bukit Gelugor kerana telah menjemput penulis dan pasukan Klinik Kesihatan Bergerak untuk turut serta di dalam program tersebut.

Jika tidak ada aral melintang, pasukan Klinik Kesihatan Bergerak pula akan memulakan program kebajikan mingguan memberikan khidmat kesihatan percuma kepada masyarakat setempat mulai Sabtu depan.

Kami akan berkhidmat tiap-tiap hari Sabtu di beberapa tempat di Parlimen Bukit Gelugor dan juga akan menjelajah beberapa tempat lain di Pulau Pinang dan juga negeri berdekatan.

Sejak penubuhan Klinik Kesihatan Bergerak yang diketuai oleh penulis sendiri pada tahun 2001, kami sudah mempunyai kira-kira 6,500 pengguna dan kami berharap agar kami dapat bekerja dengan lebih kuat lagi demi parti UMNO.

Insyaallah.

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