Khir Toyo claims sabotage in Umno Youth race

By Neville Spykerman

SHAH ALAM, March 12 - Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, currently the front-runner in his bid to become the Umno Youth chief, has claimed he is a victim of sabotage by his political rivals.

He did not, however, say how he was being sabotaged. His two rivals in the contest are Khairy Jamaluddin and Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

Speaking to The Malaysian Insider yesterday, the former Selangor menteri besar said he was aware of the "undercurrents" to undermine his chances.
"I was informed about it three weeks ago and I am not surprise because some other candidate is looking to win without contest." he said without elaborating on who it was. 

Dr Mohd Khir said he was not the only candidate in the party election campaign facing sabotage.

He claimed Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, who is vying for the deputy presidency, is also being targeted.

Dr Mohd Khir said news reports about him being the front-runner in the race has also not helped his chances because his political adversaries have increased their efforts to stop him.

He also denied persistent rumours that he had been hauled up by Umno's Disciplinary Board on Tuesday.

However he did not rule out the possibility that he too could be called at any time.

The Selangor Opposition Leader stressed that he did not indulge in money politics but his
own "sin" would be for meeting the delegates and for attending Umno functions.
 
"I feel the Disciplinary Board should only take action if a candidate is caught red handed giving money to delegates and not for attending gatherings."

He said he did not agree with the rule because as a politician he needed to meet the delegates.

"If I don't go to meet delegates, how will they know if they should vote for me."

Dr Mohd Khir seemed unfazed with taking on two other high profile candidates.
 
"I believe I have a strong chance but anything can happen in the next few weeks."

Meanwhile, Dr Mohd has also managed to brushed off mounting allegations by the Pakatan Rakyat state government against him much like "water off a duck's back".

During yesterday's state assembly sitting, he fended off repeated attacks on various outstanding issues including the unauthorized acquisition of apartments in Mecca, while he was chairman of state investment arm, Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB) and the misuse of funds by the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis).