KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — Khairy Jamaluddin has said that he needs more time to consider invitation offers he has received to join political parties following his sacking from Umno in January.
Khairy, who is currently unaffiliated with any political organisation, said he won't rush into a hastily-made decision just because the six state elections were around the corner.
“When we are given a second chance to choose a political party, I do not take this decision lightly. I do not want to make a decision merely because the state elections are near.
“I want to choose willingly because the party represents my values and political stance,” he was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini on his Keluar Sekejap podcast yesterday.
On Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin offering a seat in his party’s supreme council if Khairy joined the Opposition, Khairy said he would respond to the former personally should any decision be made.
“I am not saying 'no' to Muhyiddin's offer, but I wish to clarify, this is a difficult decision to be made,” he said.
The former Rembau MP also revealed he has received offers to join other political parties but it was up to the parties to disclose their invitations publicly.
“I do not want to decide based on emotions, like for revenge or others.
“There are other offers but it is not right to talk in public. This should be announced by them, but let the discussion be done in private,” he was reported saying.
Khairy, 47, was kicked out of Umno in January as part of a wide-sweeping purge. The former minister had been openly critical of the Umno leadership under Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and was reported to have said that the party had “gone astray” while campaigning as a candidate for the Sungai Buloh parliamentary seat in the 15th general election last November.
Ahmad Zahid said Khairy is free to join any political party or do whatever he wants now that he is no longer an Umno member.
