PETALING JAYA: Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin has expressed interest in returning to Umno after Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today said the party is opening its doors to former members who have been sacked or suspended.
Reflecting on the announcement, the former Umno Youth chief maintained that he has always been keen on returning to the party.
“I see this as a positive development and a (good) opportunity for me,” said the former three-term Rembau MP. “I can start drafting (a letter to apply to return),” he said in his Keluar Sekejap podcast.
Earlier today, Zahid said the party’s invitation for formerly expelled or suspended members to rejoin was an opportunity to strengthen the party and its unity.
Khairy, a former minister who held various portfolios, was sacked from the party in January 2023 for breaching party discipline during the 15th general election held in December 2022.
He had been openly critical of Zahid in the lead-up to the elections, especially after Barisan Nasional fielded him to contest the urban Pakatan Harapan stronghold of Sungai Buloh. Khairy lost the contest to PKR’s R Ramanan by 2,693 votes.
Since leaving Umno, Khairy has remained active in public discourse as a radio presenter and co-host of the political podcast Keluar Sekejap. Last October, the media reported that he was set to rejoin Umno after obtaining Zahid’s “blessing”.
