SHAH ALAM: Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has expressed his intention to rejoin the party to president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, reports Sinar Harian.
A source close to the former health minister revealed this to the Malay language daily on Thursday (Oct 30), following Khairy's meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister at a recent wedding reception for the son of Perlis Umno chairman Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman.
The party source, who holds a significant position in Selangor Umno, said that in the informal meeting, Khairy and the source had expressed their intention to discuss ways for Khairy to return to the party.
However, the unnamed source emphasised that discussions between the two parties were only verbal so far.
"Khairy, I, and Datuk (Ahmad Zahid) met at the wedding. We expressed our intention to discuss ways for him to rejoin Umno. No membership form or anything has been submitted yet. If the party allows, God willing, he (KJ) will return. I won’t comment on anything beyond that," the source told Sinar Harian.
Local media previously reported that Khairy is expected to rejoin Umno before the Sabah state election, scheduled for the end of November.
Sinar Harian reported that Khairy, currently a radio presenter at Hot FM, is said to have received the "blessing" of the party's top leadership, particularly Ahmad Zahid, to return.
Ahmad Zahid reportedly asked Khairy to submit an application to rejoin Umno after being expelled in January 2023.
Since his expulsion, Khairy has been active on his podcast platform, "Keluar Sekejap," which he founded and now boasts 397,000 followers.
On this platform, he shares his views on various current issues, including politics, economics, and international affairs, alongside former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan, whose membership was previously suspended.
The source, who was once a senior officer for Khairy, expressed surprise at speculation suggesting the former Rembau MP might be offered the Kepala Batas parliamentary seat, previously held by his father-in-law, the late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in the 16th General Election (GE16).
The source also dismissed claims that Khairy had been tasked with assisting the BN machinery in Sabah for the upcoming state election.
"Khairy did meet the president to discuss rejoining Umno. But regarding claims about him being offered the Kepala Batas seat or helping in the Sabah election... I don't know where that information came from.
"Khairy met and respectfully greeted the president as an elder. I have also conveyed Khairy’s intention to (Umno executive secretary) Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan and the president’s special officer. Everything depends on the party," the source added.
Meanwhile, Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican acknowledged Khairy's loyalty to Umno, despite his previous expulsion.
However, Reezal Merican, who is also the Kepala Batas Umno chief, said it was up to the former Umno Youth chief to decide his political direction.
He also confirmed attending the wedding in Perlis, where Khairy and Ahmad Zahid met last week.
"I was at the wedding, sitting with him. I can only confirm that Khairy’s love and loyalty are solely with Umno. But the decision about rejoining is up to the top leadership and the Supreme Council. I cannot preempt that," he said, as reported by a portal on Thursday.
