'I'm busy': KJ dismisses speculation on cabinet comeback

Summary

• Khairy Jamaluddin dismisses speculation of rejoining politics soon, saying he is focused on other commitments for the rest of the year despite cabinet reshuffle rumours.

• Umno figures acknowledge talk of his potential return, though party dynamics under Ahmad Zahid Hamidi could complicate any political comeback.

Amid a looming cabinet reshuffle, former minister Khairy Jamaluddin has dismissed talk that he could rejoin politics as a minister, at least for the time being.

Instead, he told reporters that he wants to focus on other work until the end of the year.

“I just want to say that I have a lot of unfinished projects and business that I need to take care of. I’m quite happy doing what I’m doing for the time being.

“At least until the end of the year, I’m not thinking of rejoining politics,” he said when approached at the sidelines of a forum in Kuala Lumpur regarding hospital treatment costs.

He was asked to address rumours that he may be appointed to a cabinet position following the resignations of Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

When asked whether he is open to the idea and how he would respond if given the opportunity, the former health minister again emphasised that he has prior engagements.

“They require my time and focus. At least until the end of the year, I’ll be busy. After that, we can discuss…

“We’ll see how it goes. I’m busy right now,” he said.

The right man

It is understood that talk has been swirling within Umno ranks about Khairy’s potential political comeback after being sacked by the party in January 2023.

Confirming that such discussions are taking place, Johor Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros said his re-entry into government, if it happens, could bolster the current administration’s flagging reputation, especially after PKR’s party election outcome.

“Khairy is a good choice. If it’s for the country, then he’s the right man.

“Rumours of Khairy’s return through Umno are making the rounds. It’s as if there’s an effort to open the door of repentance for him,” Azleen told Malaysiakini when contacted.

However, he said Khairy’s renewed political journey would not be easy, with the party’s current president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, still at the helm.

Zahid is presently also the deputy prime minister.

“I think (it’s) not going to be easy for Khairy as long as Zahid is still around. But after all, cabinet member appointments are the sole prerogative of the prime minister,” Azleen said.

Khairy was sacked from Umno for purportedly breaching party discipline, as part of a purge against Zahid’s rivals.

In the last general election, the former Rembau MP failed to wrest the Sungai Buloh seat from PKR, which was won by R Ramanan, the present entrepreneur development and cooperatives deputy minister.

Prior to that, Khairy had served as health minister; science, technology, and innovation minister; and youth and sports minister.

He has since become a co-host for the podcast program ‘Keluar Sekejap’.

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