Khairy eyeing comeback in Selangor poll, but still undecided on political platform
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 — Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has reportedly expressed his interest to be a candidate in the upcoming Selangor state election as part of making his political comeback.
He was quoted saying he believes Selangor is the “political epicentre” of Malaysia and is looking at building a new platform in the state, but said he was still considering whether to join another party or set up a new one.
“It is something I am considering. I have made it known to the public that I have left Negeri Sembilan and migrated to Selangor.
“I think this is the political epicentre of Malaysia. Here’s where the action is,” Khairy reportedly said in an interview with Singapore-based broadcaster CNA.
He described the country’s current political climate as being saturated and will take his time to consider the options available.
“I would like to take my time to see what makes more sense,” said the former Rembau MP, who lost in Sungai Buloh parliamentary seat in last year’s general election.
The Selangor state election is slated for later this year, with Datuk Seri Amiruddin Shari hinting that it may be after the Aidilfitri celebration in April.
Khairy also told CNA that he felt it would be difficult for Umno to return from its present state.
“I believe it will be hard for Umno to come back from this and not because they dismissed me, but because the entire trajectory of Umno is downwards.
“Umno now only has 26 parliamentary seats and they are still reluctant to reform,” he reportedly said.
However, Khairy said that there was a possibility that he will return to Umno one day, but added that the party needs to be a significantly different party before he considers rejoining it.
He added that it was not feasible for him to go back to the current Umno, saying: “I believe it would be a colossal waste of time.”
Khairy and former Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Noh Omar were sacked last Friday, following an Umno Supreme Council meeting along with 26 members from the party’s Pahang branch, nine from Putrajaya, five from Pasir Gudang and two from Tanjong Karang.
Some political observers have described the sackings as a deliberate purge of Umno members who were critical of party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
