KLANG, Aug 8 — Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said Umno must admit that it is going through a crisis and face the issue of rising distrust for the party among the public.

The youth and sports minister said that Umno members must also not be in denial over both issues and should instead express their opinions and raise questions in their division meetings.

“We must take the initiative. Whether it is questions over 1MDB (1 Malaysia Development Bhd), or other issues such as the leadership of Umno, it must be voiced out through the proper channels,” he said officiating the Klang Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings’ meeting here this evening.

“If we do not use these platforms (Umno division meetings), then we are not only passing up on an opportunity, but we are also betraying the struggle by not bringing up the real issues,” he added.

He added that issues plaguing Umno were not merely perception, but real issues that the party must address internally.

“I believe that if we don’t admit that we have a problem, people will laugh at us,” he said.

When addressing the Umno representatives, he pleaded for members on the grassroots level to share their opinions, assuring them that their opinions were integral in senior members solving the problem.

“The ones at the top won’t be able to solve the problems if those at the grassroots don’t bring up that there is a problem within the party,” he told the crowd.

“Don’t say things just to flatter. Don’t say things that are merely to spare someone’s feelings. Don’t say things out of denial. You must speak honestly and be true to yourself,” he added.

A Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak last month saw Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal dropped from their posts as deputy prime minister and Rural and Regional Development minister respectively, believed to be over criticism of 1MDB.

The move was described by Najib as necessary to “have a solid and unified team moving in the same direction”.