[UPDATED] Khairy to contest in Selangor election?

KUALA LUMPUR – Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who was recently sacked from Umno, has now dropped a broad hint that he may run in the upcoming Selangor election which is due by the middle of this year.

The three-term MP – who lost the race for Selangor’s Sg Buloh parliamentary seat in the last general election – said today that he is presently considering his options, including on which party he would be aligning with if he is to become involved in the state polls.

He did not discount the possibility that this may involve being a menteri besar candidate. He stressed that there have been discussions with some parties on what role he could play in the state.

He said the potential for becoming politically active in the state is attractive as it largely features urban areas, and he is encouraged by the support that he received in Sg Buloh.

“I am quite interested in politics in Selangor. I think there is a lot of potential for restarting my political career in Selangor.

“I spent the last three terms in Negri Sembilan (as Rembau MP), and I think that chapter is closed. 

“I had a good campaign in Sg Buloh. While not successful, I managed to draw a decent amount of support there,” he said to media personnel after appearing as guest speaker at a private gathering organised by the Concorde Club at Concorde Hotel here today.

“And I think that it is important for politicians to focus on urban areas as Malaysia becomes more urbanised – and Selangor of course is the epicentre of urban Malaysia.”

Asked if he has been offered to be a possible candidate for menteri besar, Khairy said: “There are discussions with several parties, and there are also discussions taking place about what that role could be.”

Pressed on whether he sees such a role as a possible way towards fulfilling his aspiration to be prime minister one day, he said: “I’ve had three terms in Parliament, and I have led three different ministries.

“I think having experience at state level would be a nice complement to the existing skill sets that I have, the experience that I have had as a minister,” he said. 

“It would help me better understand local government, as well as the relationship between the federal government and the state government, from the other side.

“I do feel that it is a good opportunity – but, again, I have to weigh whether or not I personally have the appetite to jump back (into politics) immediately.”

He stressed however that if he decides to sit out the state polls, he would have more time to decide on his next platform for his political career.

“So if I do decide to participate in the state election, then I will have to decide within the next couple of months which way I go,” he said.

Khairy, a former Umno Youth chief, was expelled from the party in a major purge that saw many other senior leaders being sacked or suspended.

He was addressing a gathering of the Concorde Club, an informal media group of local and foreign editors which meets regularly with political leaders and key policymakers. 

Previous speakers include Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Rafizi Ramli, and Anthony Loke; Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, and Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, Muda’s Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman; and Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

Perikatan’s ‘serious inroads’ into Selangor

Asked if he is confident of succeeding should he run in the state, Khairy acknowledged that there is uncertainty as it is “not a done deal”.

“You have to win the election first and that’s going to be tough because in a state like Selangor, whichever way you go, it will be very very hotly contested this time around. And we know this,” he said.

He stressed that the state is under strong PH rule at present, but pointed out that Perikatan Nasional (PN) made “serious inroads” in last November’s general election.

“It’s a strong PH state. But I think – if you look at the last parliamentary election result – you see that PN has made serious inroads into Selangor.”

“So it can go either way. So, whichever way I choose it will be a tough fight. And the first challenge that you must overcome will be to win the election,” he said.

“Nothing is a done deal in politics. You go back in to fight. If you fight and you prevail, then of course you have the opportunity to run or participate in the state government.

“If you don’t, then that’s the price that you have to pay.” 

Asked if he is keen to start a new political party, he suggested that there are too many players in Malaysian electoral politics at present. “The market is a bit saturated. I see that there may not be space for a new party in Malaysia. 

He said the country’s political scene may have already become crowded. So although starting a new outfit is an option, it is unlikely he will take it. – The Vibes, February 6, 2023