KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 — Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin sought to allay doubts about his loyalty to Umno today, following his refusal to participate in a mass walkout by the Opposition bench yesterday.

Although clearly in conflict with the rest of his party over the move before yesterday’s swearing-in ceremony, he stressed that this should not be construed as disloyalty to Umno.

"Of course not (defecting). I’m loyal to my party,” he told reporters at Dewan Rakyat today.

The former Umno Youth chief then said he preferred not to to discuss party matters in the open.

Khairy said the new Opposition parties may need "some time to change”, but was confident they would be able to play the role constructively in the future.

He then urged his fellow party members to embrace a "new kind of politics” in which the sole focus is addressing public concerns.

The former youth and sports minister said the public will judge the Opposition on how effectively it is able to keep the government accountable.

"We must demonstrate that we are able to introduce new kind of politics — one that is less personal, less poisonous, less toxic and less bitter.

"We should be more focused on the rakyat’s problems instead of making personal attacks that people are already sick of,” he said.

This was also consistent with the aspirations of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in his royal address at the opening at the 14th Parliament today, he said.

"It can go a long way in achieving what the Agong had advised us, which is to find a common ground to build a new Malaysia,” he said.

Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa made pointed remarks questioning Khairy’s commitment to the Opposition this morning, accusing the latter of being aloof and isolated from the rest of the bench.