KJ not joining any party yet, will be PN-friendly in state polls campaign

Photo: YAP CHEE HONG/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Khairy Jamaluddin will not join any political party for now but will assist Perikatan Nasional in its campaign in the coming state elections, according to a source.

The source said Khairy conveyed this to Perikatan chairman and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin when they met on Monday (June 19).

Khairy posted a photo of himself with Muhyiddin on Instagram.

ALSO READ: KJ meets Muhyiddin, stays silent on joining Bersatu

It was previously reported that the meeting was to discuss Muhyiddin’s offer of a seat on Bersatu’s supreme council if he agreed to join the party.

Khairy, a former minister and former Rembau MP, was sacked from Umno after the last general election for allegedly going against party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"For now, Khairy told Muhyiddin that he would not be joining Bersatu formally but would take part in Perikatan's campaign in the six states (Kelantan, Kedah, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan)," the source said on Tuesday (June 20).

ALSO READ: My next move will be influenced by 'personal' attacks from Umno, Pakatan, says KJ

"He also thanked him for the offer of a supreme council seat but said he preferred to play a secondary role in supporting Perikatan (against) the Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional unity government.

"Muhyiddin has accepted (Khairy's stand).

"The role he will play is similar to that of former Umno stalwart Tan Sri Noh Omar," the source added.

Noh, formerly a minister and Selangor Umno chief, has been active in Perikatan's run-up to the state elections.

ALSO READ: KJ to be appointed to supreme council if he joins Bersatu, says Muhyiddin

However, he has yet to announce if he is joining any of its component parties.

Earlier on Tuesday, Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dominic Lau told Sin Chew Daily that Khairy does not have to become a member (of any component party) to support Perikatan in the upcoming state elections.