Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (left) poses for a selfie with participants at the Festival Belia Putrajaya in Presint 2, Putrajaya, May 24, 2014. He said there were many among the ranks of Umno Youth now who were well qualified and capable to hold such posts. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng

ALOR GAJAH, Aug 17 — Umno Youth has proposed that its members be given the opportunity to hold important posts in government-linked companies (GLCs).

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said there were many among the ranks of Umno Youth now who were well qualified and capable to hold such posts.

He said it was an important move in preparing Umno Youth members in leadership before being selected as candidates for the general election and then to lead the party and government.

“Local council members are appointed from among youths. Similarly, qualified youths from Umno should be considered for appointments to the GLCs,” he told reporters after opening the Alor Gajah Umno division Youth delegates’ meeting, here, today.

Also present were division head Datuk Abdul Ghafaar Atan and its Youth chief Abdul Halim Daud.

As an example, Khairy who is also Youth and Sports Minister, said he was appointed as Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB) chairman before joining the cabinet.

“We want to see rejuvenation of the party as they (youths) cannot become candidates straight away and without experience, they are bypassed. So we have to give them the exposure before considering them as potential general election candidates,” he said.

Khairy said Umno Youth members now were not only to put up posters and flags as they could be a source of fresh ideas for companies and the government. — Bernama