KHAIRY'S APPEAL APPLICATION NOT EXPECTED TO TAKE LONG - ZAMBRY

PUTRAJAYA, March 16 (Bernama) -- The appeal application for former UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin to rejoin the party is not expected to take long, said UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

Zambry, who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general, said Khairy's appeal would be brought to the UMNO Supreme Council meeting and vice president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin had been appointed as the technical chairman to assess the process.

“I see that yesterday’s meeting (UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Khairy) has given a very good indication because the two were able to meet in a harmonious atmosphere.

“I am sure it will not take long because this is a quick process and it was the president’s idea to establish the Rumah Bangsa to bring back former members,” he said here today.

He told reporters after the MADANI Malaysian Scholars Forum (FIM) attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the BN chairman, today announced that he had received a letter of appeal from the former Khairy to rejoin the party yesterday.

Khairy, who is also the former Health Minister, was dismissed from the party on Jan 23, 2023 for violating party discipline in accordance with the UMNO Constitution after the 15th general election.

Meanwhile, Zambry, who is also the Higher Education Minister, praised the former Rembau Member of Parliament’s loyalty to UMNO despite facing many difficulties in the political arena.

“From the beginning until now, even though he (Khairy) is facing problems, he has remained in UMNO and his soul is the soul of UMNO.

“I also thank the UMNO President himself who has opened up space with his idea to form the 'Rumah Bangsa', to bring them back,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zambry said the implementation of the 'Rumah Bangsa' proves that Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, is a leader with a big heart and does not look back on past history.

“This is a civilised process in the context of UMNO politics and also Malaysian politics. I hope that there will be a new light in us to strengthen UMNO politics and also national politics as a whole.

“This is because we want to see our national politics always stable with figures who can contribute to the development of our country,” he said.

Regarding criticism of the ‘Rumah Bangsa’ idea, Zambry said some political parties are criticising the idea because they feel that it will pose a political challenge.

“The UMNO president mentioned that this ‘Rumah Bangsa’ is open for us to discuss…. this is a place for deliberation involving various parties and issues that touch on Islam and the Malays. We bring everyone, we discuss together,” he said.

-- BERNAMA