KUALA LUMPUR: It was a day which Khairy Jamaluddin described as “an extremely emotional moment” as he attended the Umno Youth assembly after a three-year hiatus.
Clad in the youth wing’s signature uniform – a Baju Melayu and sampin featuring a mix of red and black – KJ, as he is fondly known, received an astounding welcome as he entered Dewan Merdeka, where the wing’s meeting was held.
He was greeted by Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh and a silat performance was staged to welcome him.
His presence did not go unnoticed – he was swarmed by Umno members wanting to shake his hands and take selfies, everywhere he went and at every turn he made.
Khairy admitted that being at the meeting yesterday brought “a whole lot of emotions” to him, as he was present at the Umno gathering for the first time after he was sacked in 2023.
“It has been an extremely emotional day for me as I am able to return to my party’s assembly. Let’s just say that there will be good things after this,” he told reporters.
Warm welcome: Khairy waving to the crowd at the assembly in Dewan Merdeka.
Khairy had sought permission from party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to attend the assembly.
“We met during the tahlil prayers for the late Tun Abdul Razak. I sought his permission to attend. I asked the president ‘can I attend today?’
“I told him that I would only come if allowed and he said jemput datang (you are welcome to attend). I have to thank Datuk Seri for allowing me,” he said.
Asked on his potential return to Umno, the former youth chief replied: “One step at a time.”
“I am here as an observer. After this, we will do what is necessary,” he responded briefly.
On Jan 27, 2023, Khairy and former minister Tan Sri Noh Omar were sacked from Umno while several others were suspended in what was seen as the party carrying out a “purging exercise”.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said he had given his personal blessings for Khairy’s attendance yesterday.
“It was on the invitation of the youth wing and I gave my blessings for it,” he said.
