Khairy Jamaluddin has firmly reminded Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin that he never quit the party, it was Umno that sacked him.
The former Umno Youth chief and three-term Rembau MP was expelled in January 2023 for allegedly breaching discipline during the 15th general election.
Several Umno figures have weighed in on Khairy’s potential comeback, with Bung yesterday warning him against rejoining only to leave again.
“Let me set the record straight: I never left Umno. You expelled me,” Khairy posted on Instagram.
“Don’t rewrite history,” he added, pointing to multiple online reports confirming his sacking.
He shared a screenshot of Bung’s quoted remarks, which welcomed a return but stressed commitment.
The ex-health minister said he needs a few weeks to respond to the ongoing speculation.
Khairy had openly criticised Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi before GE15, especially after Barisan Nasional placed him in the Pakatan Harapan fortress of Sungai Buloh.
He fell to PKR’s R Ramanan by 2693 votes.
After Barisan Nasional’s poorest election showing, Khairy called for Zahid to resign as party president.
He declined to appeal the expulsion, deeming it futile with the same leaders still in power.
Yet in July, he said he would “think about” Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s offer to ease his return.
Since stepping away from politics, Khairy has shifted to media and business ventures.
He co-hosts the “Keluar Sekejap” podcast with Shahril Hamdan, presents on Hot FM, and handles various speaking and business roles.
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