KUALA LUMPUR — Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has indicated he intends to return to the party under Umno’s “Rumah Bangsa” initiative, which allows expelled and suspended members to rejoin.
Khairy said he views the development positively and has asked his press secretary, Raja Syahrir Raja Abu Bakar, to draft a re-entry application.
“I see this as a positive development and a good opportunity for me personally,” he said on the latest episode of the Keluar Sekejap podcast, adding that he will review the draft before submitting it.
The remarks follow Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s announcement that the initiative will allow former members who were expelled or suspended to return.
A special committee chaired by Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin will coordinate applications according to party procedures.
Khairy’s co-host, Shahril Sufian Hamdan, who was a former Umno Youth deputy chief, said he chooses to remain outside politics for now.
“I’m comfortable outside politics for the time being. One day, God knows how, but not now,” he said.
Khairy, who served as health minister and was among Umno’s most prominent young leaders, was expelled in January 2023 during a disciplinary purge that also saw several other leaders suspended. — March 7, 2026