APOLOGISE TO TUN MAHATHIR AND ENGAGE ANWAR IN DEBATE

If comments on a posting entitled ”Khairy Can Become Prime Minister in his Old Age” in Malay and English are anything to go by, the majority still want Khairy to be given the opportunity to climb the political ladder in UMNO.

They are aware of that Khairy had gone overboard before, but could accept him back on condition that: he must learn from past mistakes, must not be rashly impetuous, must not take another wife, must not get involved in scandals, must not be arrogant and egoistic, must not be greedy, and must always look back into the past, including the downfall of his father-in-law, Abdullah Badawi.
Anwar’s political destiny crumbled at the corridors of power while Abdullah Badawi fell at the peak of political power.
There were strong comments from those who still refused to accept Khairy (please count them). They said that the damage and calamity wreaked by Khairy to the stability of the country, the Malays and UMNO called for a revolution to return UMNO to its glorious past. It is difficult for UMNO to forgive him.
On the whole, visitors to this blog, who are still very angry at Khairy, are still polite and rational in their postings. They are an educated lot.
Those who advocate for an opportunity to be given to Khairy realised the mistakes made by him, but rationalised it by naming many previous leaders who had done wrong. Only those who dare to take risks will create great history.
As UMNO Youth chief, Khairy is seen to be passive and cautious in the face of political challenges that hinge on religion and Malay nationalism. For example, in the controversial raid conducted on a church trying to convert Muslims, he quickly blamed the authority which took the action.
Many roles that should have been championed by the UMNO Youth had been fought by NGOs. But Khairy quickly rose to the occasion when he dazzled the public, especially the new generation with his oratorical skills against Ambiga and Rafizi Ramli, PKR strategic director. Without doubt he is at the forefront.
The debate with Rafizi in London has also improved UMNO’s image among students and youths and even garner widespread influence among students in the United States. Khairy, who is seen to have committed sins against UMNO, suddenly emerged at the forefront to fill the new generation’s aspirations in UMNO.
However, Khairy must be brave enough to step further forward to clear his name in the party. He should publicly apologise to Tun Dr Mahathir and challenge Anwar Ibrahim to a debate on current issues.
I believe Khairy Anwar has the edge over Anwar, especially  in economic intricacies. In the words of Tun Daim, when come to economic matters, Anwar could only memorise the facts and figures.
Khairy's impending victory in the debate will certainly help plough back the support of UMNO members to the party as asserted by Tun Dr Mahathir, "There is no permanent friend and there is no eternal enemy in politics.”
Perhaps Sinar Harian, which has unearthed Khairi’s debating prowess, could organise this premier debate in order to prove remarks made by a visitor to this blog that, "If he is cast aside, it will be a loss to the party."