Khairy, who was sacked by Umno in January, said it was important that the party’s members do not vote for candidates that would end up being “yes-men”.

He said if the top leadership was filled with “yes-men”, there would be no checks and balances in the party.

“Even if the top two positions are uncontested, the delegates can rise and use the positions (that can be contested) as ‘proxies’ to tell the party’s central leadership that something is not right in the party,” said Khairy on a podcast called “Keluar Sekejap”.

“We want to see checks and balances in the party, and there are people (in the party) who are not yes-men,” Khairy said on the podcast he hosts together with former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan.

In January, the Umno annual general meeting approved a motion barring a contest for the posts of president and deputy president.

Meanwhile, Shahril, who has been suspended by Umno for six years, said members should not vote for candidates who would pick and choose their battles.

“We want leaders who are brave enough to speak out, those with credibility. We don’t want those who become fighters only when it’s convenient for them,” Shahril said.

The elections for Wanita, Youth and Puteri leadership posts will be held on March 11, while division officials, vice-presidents and members of the Supreme Council will be elected on March 18.