Before the 15th General Elections (GE15), former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ) shared his intentions and dreams for his political party UMNO, and stated that he one day hopes to lead the party and the country.
Although things did not go well for him in GE15, it appears that KJ continues to hope and believe that he would still lead his party as its president in the future.
Just yesterday (January 10), Khairy publicly stated that UMNO will continue to support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his unity government if he or his allies become party president.
It was reported that this was because he wants Anwar’s government to last and remain stable and that he will not support any attempt of a ‘backdoor’ government.
He said all of this whilst at the Regional Outlook Forum 2023 organised by Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, where Transport Minister Anthony Loke was also present,
“There are concerns that if there’s a change in UMNO’s leadership, it will bring about political instability that will lead to the collapse of the government, another ‘Sheraton Move’, and another government will come in and a new prime minister (will be) sworn in,” he explained.
“Loke, I want to say this clearly in front of all these people here: if I or my allies win the presidency, win the leadership of my party, we will commit our support to the unity government, to Anwar and to you.”
He also said that UMNO’s upcoming party elections is “everything” and that it would either be for UMNO to be reformed, obtain relevance, or “rest in peace”.
He stated that the party elections were UMNO’s chance to chart a new course and that any change in UMNO’s leadership should not result in political instability.
“(There will be) no change in government, no change in prime minister (if my allies or I become UMNO president). Maybe a change in a deputy prime minister”, he said, drawing laughs from the audience.
The party is stipulated to undergo its party election within 6 months after the general election. It has yet been decided by UMNO’s supreme council on whether the posts of president and deputy president will be contested in the party elections.
What do you think of the comments made by KJ? Let us know in the comments section.
Also read: KJ Shares His Intentions To Become Prime Minister, after Ismail Sabri, if BN Wins
