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Khairy Jamaluddin, the ambitious  son-in-law of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, is embroiled in a political storm  after suggesting minority Chinese are  political opportunists.

In the fortnight since his  remarks, he has continued to stoke anger among ethnic Chinese but has lifted his political profile among Malays.

Yesterday, he again refused to apologise. 'I will explain my statements but what is there to apologise for ... I am only defending my race,' the 31-year-old said.

Chinese leaders may have  demanded apologies, but instead Mr Khairy, the deputy president of the youth wing of Umno, said on Sunday Malays lagged Chinese on Penang Island, the only state headed by a Chinese chief minister. He wanted Penang, a Chinese majority state, to be led by a Malay.

Angering the Chinese community to gain favour with Malays is a time-honoured path to climbing the ladder in the dominant United Malays National Organisation.   The best example is  former prime minister  Mahathir Mohamad,  who is battling to topple Mr Abdullah.

Mr Khairy had timed his remarks for maximum impact - two large Chinese political parties held their annual general assemblies  last week.

Sure enough, Mr Khairy  made himself the centre of attention as delegates  lambasted him.

'I can spot a political opportunist a mile away. They pick the face of a Chinese and take potshots at him. This is low-level politics,' said  Lim Keng Yaik,  president of the Gerakan party responding to Mr Khairy's remarks.

Dr Mahathir  waded into the controversy by saying Mr Khairy was 'all talk and no action'.

But while Chinese leaders and other political enemies seek to put him down,  Mr Khairy is scoring points where it counts most - in Umno.

'Khairy is young, brave and wants to do his best for the Malays. What's wrong with that,' said   Ismail Abdullah, an Umno member at a party meeting on Sunday.

Many observers suggest Mr Khairy picked a fight with the Chinese to deflect Dr Mahathir's criticism and endear himself to Umno.

The flipside is that  his image as a liberal and a moderate have suffered, with internet chat rooms describing him as a racist.

'His only hope is that Umno will give him a standing ovation at [the November 7]  Umno congress,' said James Wong, chief political analyst with Malaysiakini.com,  an independent news portal referring to the annual Umno congress.

WHAT KHAIRY JAMALUDDIN SAID:

'Chinese will take advantage if Umno is weakened by infighting'

at an Umno meeting on August 21

'I will not let Malays become social outcasts in their own country...'

Umno meeting on August 27, complaining that development is bypassing native Malays

'I will not apologise ... I only defended my race, religion, party and country'

Umno meeting on August 29, defending his statement



Angering Chinese a proven way to get ahead in Umno