2006: Most Challenging Year But A Success For BN Leadership Says Khairy Jamaluddin.

Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth deputy chairman Khairy Jamaludin Saturday regarded 2006 as the most challenging year in the government's history apart from proving the maturity of the government led by BN leaders.

Citing as an example the SMSes case about Muslims purportedly committing apostasy in Ipoh, which stirred racial and religious sensitivities, Khairy said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also Umno president, was able to find ways to solve the matter amicably.

"Although various issues were raised and blown out of proportion, he was able to bring us all to the right path, to the real situation so that we will not deviate from the actual purpose, that is unity," he told reporters after opening the People's Progressive Party (PPP) Youth Convention here.

Khairy said that under the present political climate, which was more open, there were quarters trying to test the limits of freedom, which to some extent, could hurt the feelings of certain groups or race.

He said that the situation could affect the grassroots and as such, discussions should be held among Youth leaders of BN component parties to address the problem and that a course would be held for BN Youth leaders for the purpose as announced by (BN Youth) chairman Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein recently.

"This is because when problems are not solved, they will spread and become bigger, the media will also play up the matter," he said.

He said that although more open politics was better, certain matters had to be tackled wisely since the country's democracy was still young.

"Sensitivities are still high among the Malays, Chinese, Indians and others and we have to respect them," he said.

Khairy said Umno Youth would support for stern action to be taken against those who were too extreme or went overboard.

Meanwhile, PPP Youth Chief T. Murugiah wanted the party to be given more seats to contest and certain posts for its members, adding that the matter would be tabled as a motion by PPP President Datuk Dr M Kayveas at the party's convention.

Murugiah said that PPP presently had 500,000 members and expected the figure to reach one million before 2008. - (Bernama)

***** I don't think that many will agree with Khairy's interpretation of the SMS episode, but he's got a point regarding 'sensitivities.' About the 'maturity' of BN leaders I leave it to you to decide on the validity of that statement. Also in his semuanya OK address, he has either left out a lot of controversial incidents or it has not been reported.
Picture by paknip