Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia said Khairy has few realistic alternatives after being expelled from Umno in January 2023 for breaching party discipline.
She added that Khairy’s return would benefit Umno as the former three-term Rembau MP still retains strong support among some segments of voters and would bolster the party’s image ahead of the next general election (GE16).
“Based on what we know publicly, there’s a high chance Khairy will return to Umno and work with its president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. It’s better to have him within Umno than outside where he could openly challenge Umno.
“For Khairy, of course Umno is his best bet. Where else is he going to go? PKR? He’s an Umno man through and through.
“(For Umno) Khairy still has that appeal with certain demographics. He is touted as a next-gen leader, so it is good for Umno to bring him back,” she told FMT.
Syaza said allowing Khairy’s return was just part of politics and winning elections.
She expected the former Umno Youth chief to reach some kind of informal agreement to facilitate his return, namely not to challenge Zahid openly for now.
On Thursday, Berita Harian quoted a source as saying Khairy was set to rejoin Umno before the Sabah state asssembly elections next month after obtaining Zahid’s “blessing”.
The source said Barisan Nasional was also considering fielding Khairy as its candidate in Kepala Batas in GE16, a parliamentary seat long held by the late Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the former prime minister and Khairy’s father-in-law.
KJ and Umno realities
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Khairy needed Umno more than the party needed him, as his ventures outside of politics — including his Keluar Sekejap podcast and ambassadorial roles for various brands — were “not good enough” for someone of his political ambition.
He said Khairy would have his work cut out to regain the support of Umno’s grassroots as Zahid, of whom he was publicly critical, now had a firmer grip on the party compared to the time Khairy was expelled.
“If Khairy returns, he will need to reintegrate to make himself acceptable to the party grassroots,” Azmi said.
Khairy had been openly critical of Zahid in the lead-up to the 2022 general election, especially after BN fielded him in the urban Pakatan Harapan stronghold of Sungai Buloh.
Umno put up its worst electoral performance in the 2022 elections, prompting Khairy to call for Zahid to step down as party president.
Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said Khairy’s return to Umno would mean he had nowhere else to go, especially with Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional losing momentum of late.
“Khairy probably sees the internal crises and power struggles in Bersatu and PN, and realises he’s better off returning to Umno before others consolidate power and leave him behind,” he said.
Awang Azman expected Zahid to accept Khairy back into the fold despite the public criticism, as the Umno president’s main consideration would be the possible ways to boost the party ahead of GE16.