KUALA LUMPUR: Khairy Jamaluddin stood by his remarks made during the 15th General Election (GE15) campaign which led to his expulsion from Umno.
The former Umno Youth chief said the remarks were directed at the party's top leadership and not to disparage or sabotage the party.
Khairy said the remarks were also intended to provide hope among the people, especially urban folk, that there are better days ahead for Umno.
"You have to remember that I was contesting in an urban area, in which, Umno has been uncompetitive for many years.
"All I was trying to say was that I represented a new generation that wanted to revive and reform Umno.
"I don't see how such a positive message of understanding the public's disenchantment with Umno and wanting to restore the credibility of the grand old party is seen as something negative," he said.
Khairy said this during the Breakfast Grille programme moderated by Shazana Mokhtar of BFM radio this morning.
The former health minister was asked to comment on Umno information chief Isham Jalil's statement on the reason behind the party's supreme council move to axe him from the party.
Isham had said Khairy's remark during the GE15 campaign that Umno had lost its way and he was the saviour was the reason which led to his dismissal from the party.
In GE15 which took place last Nov 19 last, Khairy was the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Sungai Buloh parliamentary seat.
"I do not think it is (a) fair (charge) at all. My point was neither against the party nor the party membership.
"My point was against the party leadership. Perhaps, on that score, there was criticism.
"However, it was certainly not to run down the party.. it was more about giving hope and that the people should give their support to Umno," he said.
Khairy lost the multi-cornered race in Sungai Buloh after he polled 48,250 votes against Pakatan Harapan's Datuk R. Ramanan, who garnered 50,943 votes.