UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says party has not discussed former minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s reported desire to return to UMNO.
PUTRAJAYA: UMNO has not yet discussed former minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s intention to rejoin the party according to its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He gave a brief response when asked about the former UMNO Youth chief’s reported desire to return to the party after delivering his keynote address at the 2025 Putrajaya Festival of Ideas.
Ahmad Zahid confirmed he met Khairy at the wedding of Perlis UMNO chairman Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman’s daughter last Sunday.
He declined to confirm or deny claims that he had given his blessing for Khairy’s return to UMNO.
“I only met him at the wedding ceremony and we didn’t discuss anything,” he stated.
Ahmad Zahid added that what appeared in the media was news written by the media which he respects.
“I don’t wish to contradict any journalist who wrote about the matter unlike what someone else once did,” he said.
Earlier media reports stated that Khairy is expected to rejoin UMNO before the Sabah state election later this month.
According to reports the former health minister had received the blessing of UMNO’s top leadership particularly Ahmad Zahid himself.
In January 2023 Khairy was expelled from UMNO for openly criticising the party’s top leadership during the 15th General Election campaign.
Since his expulsion he has repeatedly affirmed his decision not to join any other party out of loyalty to UMNO. – Bernama
