KUALA LUMPUR – Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin will not make a rushed decision on his political future by simply joining any political party for the sake of political expediency.
During an interview with Astro Awani tonight, Khairy, who was recently expelled from Umno, said he needs to factor in whether the party he wishes to join shares his values and principles.
“I have to consider the fact whether I am comfortable with the party and whether the party is comfortable with me,” he said.
“There is no point in me being invited to the party even by the party’s top leader but then there are doubts cast on me by other members.
“I have to also weigh in on whether there is chemistry, shared ideologies between me and the party.
“I’m looking to make a long-term commitment, and this is a decision I cannot simply make this decision overnight as I’m not a person to jump around like a frog,” he said during the interview.
In previous interviews in recent days following his sacking from Umno, Khairy had revealed that he has received numerous offers from various academic bodies, non-governmental organisations and even political parties.
Asked about his ambition to become prime minister, Khairy reiterated that he has not relented on this aspiration.
“But I would like to clarify that I will not make my decision in choosing a political platform simply to find the best means to leverage my way to become prime minister.
“Again, I am looking at whether I am a good fit for the party and vice versa. There’s no use of me entering a party while doubts are being cast over my character,” he said.
Speaking on the state of affairs in Umno, Khairy lamented that due process was not granted in the case of his sacking, adding that his former party had forgo procedure and the rules of natural justice.
Stating that he still cares for Umno, Khairy urged party members to fight for reform in the party, but he acknowledged that it will be more difficult now as any dissenting voices in the party could share his fate.
Besides Khairy, another high-profile name to be expelled from Umno was former Selangor chief Tan Sri Noh Omar. Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein was given a six-year suspension.
Khairy, who lost the parliamentary race for Sg Buloh in the recent general election, said he believes Hishammuddin would have also been sacked if he was not an MP.
He claimed that party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi needed him to maintain stability for the unity government that Umno is part of and in which Zahid is deputy prime minister. – The Vibes, January 31, 2023
