Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin has taken a jab at Umno's use of racial and religious rhetoric, such as warning of a "Christian DAP" threat.

"This is Umno's existential dilemma now. Some still use rhetorics like Christian DAP etc. But some are still sane," Khairy said on Twitter.

He was responding to a social media user who urged him to admonish Umno campaigners who use racial and religious rhetoric.

Last night, at the end of campaigning for the Sungai Kandis by-election, Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman urged voters to not support a "Christian-led” Pakatan Harapan government.

Tajuddin further alleged Christian DAP politicians were using their positions in government to evangelise.

Among those he named were DAP leaders Lim Guan Eng, Anthony Loke, Teresa Kok, Hannah Yeoh, and Tony Pua.

Asked how he would overcome Umno's existential dilemma, Khairy said in a follow-up tweet that he would recruit a new breed of politicians with a progressive worldview, and organise a comprehensive political re-education of existing members.

"But, most importantly, leadership. That’s why I contested for the presidency," he added.

Khairy lost his bid to become Umno president at the end of June to former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ini merupakan existential dilemma UMNO sekarang. Ada yang terus guna retorik DAP Kristian etc. Tapi ada juga yang masih waras. https://t.co/gICUtCu38c

— Khairy Jamaluddin (@Khairykj) August 4, 2018