Former Malaysian health minister Khairy entertaining thoughts of forming own political party
By Luqman Hakim New Straits Times June 5, 2023
Khairy Jamaluddin says forming a new party must also come with preparing to face the worst to come in the political arena. – NSTP file pic
KUALA LUMPUR: Khairy Jamaluddin, sacked from Umno earlier this year, has not ruled out the possibility of forming a new political party of his own.
In the latest episode of the ‘Keluar Sekejap’ podcast which features him and former Umno information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan, both were asked on whether they would entertain the likelihood of forming a new political party.
Khairy, who is a former Umno Youth chief, said it was not something that he had initially considered as he had viewed the political scene as being too saturated.
However, he said he has since been mulling over the option.
“Maybe in the past months, it was heavy for me because I see that the political party market is saturated.
“However, if we can get a second chance, which not everyone gets without hopping (parties) like frogs, why not start a new beginning on our own terms?
“If we enter a house (party), we need to adapt to its traditions, which are not always 100 per cent with what we want because we are getting into new territory,” he said.
Khairy however noted that forming a new party must also come with preparing to face the worst to come in the political arena.
He referred to Pejuang, the fledgling party set up by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which was trounced in the 15th General Election (GE15).
“Fine, if you set up a new party, it might go the way of Pejuang. You lose deposits, and you get laughed at, but it feels more fulfilling because you did it on your own will.
“Maybe when starting a new party, we need to be prepared to lose a few general elections. But who knows maybe one day?”
In January, Umno sacked Khairy and several others for violating the party’s Constitution in GE15.
Khairy, who was former Rembau member of parliament, was not selected to defend his seat in the election. The Rembau seat was instead contested and won by his one time mentor, Umno number two Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The party said Khairy, who was one-time Health Minister, was sacked for disparaging and sabotaging Barisan Nasional’s (BN) campaign during GE15.
SOURCE: New Straits Times, Malaysia June 5, 2023
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