UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar took a jab at Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, claiming the former premier has forgotten his famous phrase 'Melayu mudah lupa' (Malays forget easily).
Khairy Jamaluddin said the former UMNO president had epitomized the saying by betraying the party and working with political foes.
Citing Bersih as one example, the Rembau Member of Parliament said Tun Dr Mahathir was against street demonstrations but now rallied people to join.
Khairy Jamaluddin also recited a poem during his speech at the UMNO general assembly, saying that party members will not forget the former prime minister's sacrifices.
"Melayu Mudah Lupa, Melayu mudah lupa.
Wahai Tun, kami di dewan ini juga ingin berpuisi
Bahawasanya Melayu di dalam dewan ini bukan sepertimana yang disebut oleh Tun.
Bahawasanya Melayu di dalam dewan ini tak mudah lupa,
Melayu dalam dewan ini hormat pengorbanan Tun.
Melayu dalam dewan ini ingat sumbangan Tun.
Juga ingat solidariti parti mempertahankan Tun.
Tetapi Melayu di dalam dewan ini juga ingat hipokrasi Tun.
Juga ingat diktatorship Tun.
Juga ingat kepincangan Tun.
Juga ingat penyelewengan di zaman Tun.
Juga ingat semua pemimpin yang dihina oleh Tun.
Dan yang akan kami paling ingat,
Yang Melayu dalam dewan ini akan sentiasa beringat,
Adalah pengkhianatan Tun kepada perjuangan parti ini.
Keghairahan Tun tubuh parti untuk melawan kami,
Kesanggupan Tun menghina parti Keramat ini.
Kerakusan Tun membunuh parti UMNO ini.
Jasa Tun akan sentiasa kami kenang,
Tetapi pengkhianatan Tun, pembelotan Tun, akan bermati-matian kami tentang."
Khairy Jamaluddin also reminded UMNO to not underestimate splinter political group formed by Tun Dr Mahathir as those who defected know the party's strengths and weaknesses.
"Their members were once in UMNO. We also heard that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) leadership had instructed UMNO members who wish to defect to remain silent about their intentions and hide their betrayal in order to surprise UMNO when the general elections campaign starts.
"By then, it will be too late for us to act when our election machinery is crippled by internal sabotage," Khairy Jamaluddin said.
Khairunnisa Kasnoon
Wed Nov 30 2016
Khairy Jamaluddin delivers his opening speech at the UMNO general assembly at PWTC. -Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar
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