UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied claims that he extended an invitation to former party youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin to rejoin UMNO ahead of the upcoming Sabah state election.
His denial followed reports by several news portals alleging that Khairy, a former Member of Parliament for Rembau and now a radio presenter, was expected to make a political comeback with UMNO before the polls, reportedly with Zahid’s blessing.
The reports also claimed that Khairy had expressed his intention to return to the party during an informal meeting with Zahid at the wedding reception of the son of Perlis UMNO chairman, Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman, recently.
However, Zahid clarified that his encounter with Khairy at the event was purely coincidental and did not involve any political discussion.
“I only met him at the wedding ceremony, and we did not discuss anything. What appeared in the media was merely what was written by journalists,” he told reporters.
“I have great respect for him and will not contradict any journalist who reports on such matters, unlike certain individuals who have done so,” Zahid added.
He was speaking to the press after attending the Festival of Ideas Putrajaya (FOI) 2025, organised by the Ministry of Higher Education at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) on Tuesday.
The event was also attended by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
Khairy was expelled from UMNO in January 2023 following his outspoken criticism of the party leadership during the 15th General Election campaign. He later contested and lost the Sungai Buloh parliamentary seat.
On Barisan Nasional’s (BN) preparations for the Sabah state election, Zahid said discussions on seat allocation were nearing completion.
“Yes, it’s almost done… I would say 95 per cent completed,” he revealed.
An official announcement, he said, would be made soon. “I will announce it when I fly to Kota Kinabalu next week,” Zahid added.
He also hinted that BN would field many fresh faces in the upcoming polls.
“I think around 80 per cent will be new candidates, God willing,” he said. - November 4, 2025
