Will Khairy and Hishammuddin be loyal if reinstated, Puad asks

Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi questioned whether Khairy Jamaluddin and Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein would work as team players if reinstated into the party.

In a Facebook post, Puad emphasised that the duo’s loyalty and adherence to party consensus are the main issues, not threats to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s position.

“It’s not about Zahid feeling threatened if Khairy and Hishammuddin return to Umno. Khairy has even contested Zahid for the presidency before, so what’s the issue?

“The real concern is whether they can uphold team spirit, practice teamwork, abide by party consensus and refrain from signing other statutory declarations (SDs) if their punishments are overturned. That’s it,” Puad (above) said.

Khairy was expelled from in January last year along with Hishamuddin.

Former Umno Youth information chief Shahril Hamdan Suffian was slapped with a six-year suspension.

Did they make any effort?

Elaborating, Puad also questioned whether the two had made any effort to file an appeal.

“Don’t wait for invitations or a ‘red carpet’. There’s no need to use Zahid as an excuse. Disobedience to party decisions is the root issue, which weakens the party,” he said.

Last month, Umno reinstated former Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.

Tajuddin, suspended in October 2022, had openly expressed remorse and made an appeal against the suspension despite past criticisms of Zahid and Umno.

Meanwhile, during an episode of the Keluar Sekejap podcast on Dec 6, Khairy expressed his openness to returning to Umno provided the party commits to meaningful reform.

While affirming that he remains an Umno member at heart, Khairy clarified his potential return would not be for personal gain or to secure a position in the party.

Instead, it would be to help restore Umno’s image and relevance.

“I wouldn’t go back just to be a ‘yes man’. I don’t think so.

“But if you can accept me as someone who is still loyal to the party yet holds my own ideals - not to say that I’m returning to challenge anyone - but because I dream of a better Umno,” Khairy explained.

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