KJ draws laughter, applause with suggestion to set up new party with former Bangi MP

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming and I should team up to form a new political party, suggests Khairy Jamaluddin with tongue in cheek.

"I agree 100% with Kian Ming and perhaps we should form a political party together.

"The media will then have their headlines tomorrow," he said, drawing laughter and applause from those attending the "Designing The Future-What is Next For Malaysia" forum organised by UCSI University on Thursday (May 25).

"If he (Khairy) is president, I would consider it," the DAP member said in response to the former health minister.

Earlier, Ong, who was former deputy international trade and industry minister, said he did not consider Malaysians leaving the country as a "brain drain".

"The challenge for the government and companies in Malaysia is how to tap their networks and if suitable, bring them back to the country to occupy strategic positions in the public and private sectors," Ong said.

Later, during the forum, Khairy remained coy on his immediate plans with regard to politics.

"I am not going to answer directly what I am going to do if I am back.

"I have not decided what to do immediately," he said.

He said that he realised after being sacked by Umno in January that "politics does not define me".

At the moment, the former Umno Youth chief said he plans to galvanise young Malaysians to be better citizens.

"What I want to do is a call to action for young Malaysians on how to participate not just in terms of the political process but in terms of securing a sustainable future," he said.

He added that his goal was to reach out to those between 15 and 17 years old through the project so that they will be civic-minded and compassionate.