KUALA LUMPUR: Khairy Jamaluddin has admitted that he had been contacted by Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) regarding the possibility of him joining either coalition after being axed from Umno last Friday.

However, the former Umno Youth Chief refused to be rushed into making any hasty decision.

Instead, the former Rembau member of Parliament wants to have some time, several weeks or two to three months before deciding on whether to join an existing party, form a new party or take a temporary break from politics.

Among the considerations he is studying are the aspirations and direction of several parties that

were his political nemesis over the years, in addition to examining the possibility of contesting in the next state election.

"Currently, various parties have contacted me, from both sides. I am taking the attitude of meeting and listening to all parties.

"I have been with Umno for 23 years. Umno is the only one I know. I don't know any other party. So, I would also want to understand more deeply what each party's aspirations are.

"After listening to all the views, I will decide whether I will join an existing party or create a new party or (whether) I would take a break for a while. I don't want to rush into a decision.

"Regarding the (forthcoming) state election, (which) I think will take another two to four months. If that is the timeline, there is no need for me to make a decision today or next week," he said in an interview at his office, here, yesterday.

Khairy was responding to whether he was considering the possibility of standing as an Independent candidate or representing any party in state polls to be held in Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu.

On whether he was also considering the possibility of working with his two good friends, Rafizi Ramli and Nurul Izzah Anwar in PKR, Khairy acknowledged that he had indeed thought about it, but it was not his only option at the moment.

He said the friendship factor was also being taken into account in deciding his next step, but Khairy informed that he also has good friends at several other parties.

"Yes, I do not reject this option. However, that is not the only option available. There are other options as well. The important thing is, in a political struggle there is more to it than a line of friendship.

"The line of friendship will probably be my estimate but the bigger estimate is the question involving the direction of the party, and whether I believe its direction is the same as my direction as a politician," he said.

The former Health Minister also did not rule out the possibility of taking a temporary break from politics as he had also received various offers from the sports, corporate and academic worlds.

On whether he would make a comeback in the 16th General Election (GE16), Khairy retorted: "Too soon to say (it's still too early to say)."

Last Friday the Umno Supreme Working Council (MKT) meeting chaired by Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, decided to sack Khairy and former Tanjong Karang Member of Parliament, Tan Sri Noh Omar, for allegedly 'violating party discipline'.

In addition, Umno also suspended the party membership of former Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein; Umno Youth Vice Chief, Shahril Hamdan; Tebrau Umno Division Chief, Datuk Maulizan Bujang; and Jempol Umno Division Chief, Datuk Seri Mohd Salim Shariff, each for six years.

Among the reasons for Khairy's dismissal was his speech during his 15th General Election campaign trail, where he stated that 'the party has gone astray and needs to be cleaned up', which is alleged to be the trigger for destabilising Umno.

In an interview with some media after being sacked Khairy claimed that his axing was not per procedure as he was given no opportunity to explain and defend himself.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/01/875176/kj-considering-khairy-rafizi-nurul-izzah-linkup