Ong said both Khairy and Shahril were suitable candidates for the country’s top post.

“DAP needs a prime ministerial candidate and both of you (Khairy and Shahril) fit the bill,” he said in the latest episode of the “Keluar Sekejap” podcast.

The former Bangi MP added that the pair should seriously consider joining DAP.

Ong was responding to a question from Khairy on whether he and Shahril should join DAP and why.

Khairy, a former Umno Youth chief and federal minister, was sacked from Umno in January while former Umno information chief Shahril was suspended for six years.

Separately, on the compromises DAP was willing to make as part of the unity government, Ong said the party would not compromise on its stance regarding former prime minister Najib Razak’s pardon application.

He said while DAP was open to compromise, its grassroots and members would draw the line at attempts to expedite the pardon process for Najib.

Najib is serving a 12-year prison sentence and was fined RM210 million after the Federal Court upheld his conviction for charges of abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust over SRC funds amounting to RM42 million.