GE15: I want to be prime minister, says Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno’s Sg Buloh Khairy Jamaluddin admitted yesterday to what has been an open secret for a while: he wants to be prime minister. 

Speaking to a huge crowd at a ceramah in Saujana Utama, Sg Buloh, last night, the caretaker health minister admitted that while that is his ambition over the long term, the candidate for the prime minister’s post following the 15th general election is still Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“Should I triumph in the general election, Sg Buloh will not be my limit, as I will bring the Sg Buloh people someday and lead the country, God-willing.

“Someday I want to lead Umno. I want to be your prime minister, but I must win Sg Buloh first.

“But not now…Ismail Sabri (Yaakob) will be the prime minister (if BN wins GE15),” he said.

The 46-year-old also said that while he can still wait to pursue his ambition, it will not take too long to realise his dream.

“I am only 46. I still have time but (hopefully don’t have to wait) too long,” he said to cheers.

A victory in Sg Buloh, he said, is exactly what he needs to express to Umno about his aim to lead the party and country.

“I’ve not said it before. If I said it, everyone in the MT (Majlis Tertinggi) will chop me, but I think it is time for me to say it,” he said in jest, referring to Umno's Supreme Council. 

Khairy is contesting in Sg Buloh for the first time, having given way to Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan in Rembau – a seat Khairy had held since 2008.

His main contender in the seven-cornered fight appears to be Datuk R. Ramanan of PKR.

According to statistics during the 14th general election in 2018, Malays make up 66% of the voting population, followed by 22% Chinese and 11% Indian, and 2% others. – The Vibes, November 9, 2022