KUALA LUMPUR – Khairy Jamaluddin appeared lukewarm in response to Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh’s offer to help smooth his return to the party.
“Very kind of him,” he was reported as saying at a product launch today.
“I appreciate his comments and support, and I will certainly consider it.”
Yesterday, Akmal was quoted as saying he was open to facilitating the return of suspended or sacked Umno leaders, including Khairy, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, and Shahril Hamdan.
“Those who had action taken against them have contributed significantly to the party. That’s why I said what matters most is Umno’s unity – and that unity cannot come from just one side,” he said.
Akmal also said those suspended or sacked must put aside their egos if they truly care about the party.
Khairy, a former Umno Youth chief, Rembau MP and health minister, was sacked from the party in January 2023 for alleged breaches of discipline.
Meanwhile, the Umno Sembrong division has passed a resolution urging the party leadership to lift the suspension of Sembrong MP Hishammuddin.
However, the former Umno vice-president has indicated he will not appeal the decision, saying he was never officially or clearly told what offence he had committed. – July 6, 2025