KUALA LUMPUR: Umno would be seen as the party of the future if it can field more young candidates and new faces in the coming 14th general election (GE14).
Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin expressed hope that more than 40 young candidates would eventually be fielded in the polls.
“I can’t say for sure how many will be fielded, as we need to look at the quality of candidates and the available vacancies.
“So, there is no point for me to say that there will be 30 per cent of young candidates.
“Furthermore, the candidates must also be capable and well accepted in their respective division and constituency,” he told reporters after delivering the closing speech at the Umno Youth general assembly in Putra World Trade Centre today.
He said anything would be good so long as the number of young candidates is more than the previous general election.
Khairy also expressed confidence that Umno Youth has sufficient talents for the task ahead.
He noted that in fact, wing has more capable leaders than the Opposition.
Khairy said they are somewhat less well known to the public, which made it harder for them to come out from the shadows.
“But I have made sure that they are given the space, and more of these young leaders are being exposed, and I think this is just the start,” he said.