'One step at a time,' KJ says on return to Umno

UMNO AGM | Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, in his maiden return to the wing’s assembly, hinted at a comeback to the party since his sacking three years ago.

When quizzed on the matter outside Dewan Merdeka at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, Khairy repeatedly said, “One step at a time.”

“One step at a time, one step at a time, InsyaAllah.

“Today I’m back as an observer. InsyaAllah, after this, we’ll do what needs to be done.”

The former health minister turned radio announcer after his exit from Umno also thanked party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for welcoming him to attend the annual gathering of party delegates.

“Last night, I met him (Zahid) during the tahlil (prayers) for (former prime minister Abdul) Razak (Hussein).

“After shaking his hand, I asked him, ‘Can I come today?’. I told him, ‘If you do not want me to come, then I won’t. I will only come if you give me permission.

“I thank him, as he said, ‘Please come’. So today is a very emotional day for me.

“I get to return to the assembly of my party. So InsyaAllah, good things to come after this,” he said.

Invitation to return

Khairy was sacked from Umno on Jan 27, 2023, in an announcement by then Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan.

At the same time, former Umno Youth deputy chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan, who went on to be Khairy’s co-host on the “Keluar Sekejap” podcast, and Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein were suspended for six years.

Ahmad said at the time that the actions were taken for “breaching party discipline” during the 15th general election.

Yesterday, Zahid, during a briefing ahead of the AGM, said Umno is extending an olive branch to former party leaders, either suspended or sacked, to return to the fold.

Strained relations

The open clash between the two leaders began during Umno’s 2018 election, when Khairy challenged Zahid for the presidency.

In the contest, Zahid secured 93 votes compared to Khairy’s 51. Another contender, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, received 23 votes.

Ahead of the 15th general election, their relationship grew increasingly strained as Khairy criticised Zahid’s leadership and the party’s management. He also claimed that the Bagan Datuk MP lacked “moral legitimacy” to serve as Umno president.

For the record, in that election, BN again fielded Khairy as a candidate, but he was “moved” from the Rembau parliamentary seat - seen as a safe seat - to Sungai Buloh, a Pakatan Harapan stronghold, which resulted in a loss for the three-time MP.

When met after a meeting with members of Umno’s Overseas Students Club, Zahid said Khairy had attended today’s Youth general assembly at Akmal’s invitation.

“By chance, he (Khairy) met me last night and asked for my blessing, to which I agreed,” said Zahid.

Asked to confirm Khairy’s re-entry, Zahid said the decision will depend on his application, which has yet to be received by the party.

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