FORMER UMNO Youth Chief and ex-Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has asked for several weeks before clarifying his intention to rejoin the party, citing the need to address a surge of public enquiries.

“Many have sent messages asking what is happening? Give me a few weeks before I am ready to respond,” Khairy wrote on Instagram on Sunday.

He shared a media report quoting Sabah Barisan Nasional Chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who said Khairy should remain committed to UMNO if he returns and not leave the party again.

Khairy stressed that he never left UMNO voluntarily, but was expelled by the party leadership.

“Meanwhile, some have commented on this news, let me clarify: I never left UMNO, you expelled me. Please do not try to rewrite history. There is plenty of evidence online, don’t be so illiterate,” he added.

Media reports suggest the former Rembau MP is expected to rejoin UMNO ahead of the Sabah State Election at the end of next month.

Khairy, currently a radio presenter, is reported to have secured the backing of senior UMNO leaders, including party President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He is said to have expressed his interest to return during an informal meeting with UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the wedding reception of the son of UMNO Perlis Chairman Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman.

Khairy was expelled from UMNO in January 2023 after openly criticising the party’s top leadership during the 15th General Election campaign. He also lost his bid for the Sungai Buloh parliamentary seat. – November 2, 2025