Now Umno Youth Attempts To Smooth Ruffled Feathers.

After the emotion-charged high drama that was the Umno General Assembly, the Youth Wing has embarked on its own damage control exercise. Probably realizing that the proceedings had gone perhaps a 'little' overboard in the rhetoric department, the movement's Vice Chief Khairy Jamaluddin expressed confidence that BN counterparts can accept that the sensitive issues discussed at the Assembly are something normal at an internal party gathering.

He, however, said that Umno Youth would meet its BN counterparts over the matter to iron out any potential misunderstanding so that it did not become a problem during the next general election. He said that the debates became an issue as this year's Umno general assembly was televised live for the first time.

"Those who have never seen the assembly before will be shocked by the no holds barred debates when delegates spoke on religion and race," he told reporters. He said that what was expressed during the assembly were the feelings of the grassroot and not about conflicts the partners had, as they (components) had a good relationship based on mutual respect. Khairy said that everyone had heard Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's assurance that the government would be fair to all in its administration.

Khairy also said that those who were uneasy with the nature of the debates during the assembly were groups who were unfamiliar with political assemblies.

"While the debates were hot, the spirit of consensus in the BN will not be affected, as we are committed to it. MCA, MIC and others understand this," he said.

***** I hope that Khairy is correct and the spirit of consensus between the component parties is not in any way jeopardized. While the Assembly proceedings definitely exceeded the vehemence of previous years, Khairy's clarification, explanation and conciliatory tone, albeit after the fact, is still a welcome gesture by the Youth Wing. I know a lot of people will have a lot of things to say about this apparent turnaround by the youths, but instead of angrily spurning the eleventh hour offer of "we're still friends," the other component parties should take this opportunity to 'educate' the Pemuda on proper behaviour and conduct in inter-party relations.

Such an attitude of give and take on the part of the component parties may well usher in a more calm and happier 2007. If even at this late stage the youths of Umno are still willing to come down a notch or two then it's advisable to reciprocate accordingly for the betterment of the Barisan. It must be borne in mind that in the slightly 'twisted' style of Malaysian politics, things are often said by all sides which they do not mean or are meant for the consumption of a particular target group. I would like to think that a majority of our politicians are for national unity and despite the rough and tough talk, many of them are reasonable men and women who have the welfare of the nation at heart and wouldn't overtly do anything to jeopardize our future or that of the country we love and call home.