I need more time, says KJ over Muhyiddin’s offer

PETALING JAYA: More time is needed to consider Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s offer for a seat in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s supreme council, says former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

In his podcast “Keluar Sekejap”, Khairy said this did not mean that he was rejecting the offer.

"When given a second choice in choosing a political party, I do not take it lightly,” he said.

“I want to make my choice willingly and not just be a candidate for the coming state polls; the party has to represent my values and political stand.

"So I need more time, it's not that I am saying no to Muhyiddin's offer in this podcast, but I want to explain the situation to the public and listeners who care about this," Sinar Harian quoted him as saying.

He added that every day will bring different views and advice.

"I feel that if I have to respond, I would do so 'face to face' with Muhyiddin because that is the proper way," he said, adding that politicians must be gentlemen and respond to such offers in person.

Last week, Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president, said that the appointment to the supreme council would be immediate if Khairy accepts, as the former minister had had a lot of valuable experience.

"He has met me before and we had discussed. He has not applied to join Perikatan Nasional but I offered him.

"The offer still stands. I had asked him recently again about the offer - we are not pushing - but we hope he will join us to strengthen our party and coalition," Muhyiddin said.

In January, Khairy, a former Umno Youth chief, was sacked by the party.