FORMER UMNO leaders Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Sufian Hamdan should join DAP as they both have what it takes to be future prime minister candidates, said former Bangi MP Dr Ong Kian Ming.
In today’s (May 2) Keluar Sekejap YouTube podcast, Khairy had asked Ong if he and Shahril should join DAP and if yes, why.
“Yes, it should be considered because DAP needs prime ministerial candidates and both of you fit the bill,” Ong told the duo in the podcast aired this afternoon titled “Kenapa Melayu Tak Suka DAP? OKM Keluar Sekejap atau Sendiri?”
The three were discussing local issues on the podcast, including their supposed break from active politics.
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.
During the session, the subject of Khairy’s future political goals and what he envisioned himself accomplishing in the years to come also came up.
The former Rembau MP explained that his Hari Raya celebration saw many relatives and friends questioning him about his future plans and whether he will contest the elections again, among others.
“I dismissed the question by saying that I have retired. I am just going to put an end to this here. There will be no second act, no Michael Jordan part two,” he declared.
“Previously many people asked if I really wanted to contest in the state elections, at that time I said 80-20. Now it’s 90-10 where there is a 90% chance that I will retire.”
Shahril also asked Ong what he would do in their position, and asked for his advice on moving forward.
Ong said he believes Shahril has a bright future in the corporate sector, considering his experience as the economic director in the Prime Minister’s Office during the Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob administration and a consultant at McKinsey and Company.
As for Khairy, Ong felt the former could look for a position at an international organisation, such as a United Nations agency or a global think tank.
“You can get more experience and a higher stature as what was done by the former prime minister such Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who had been sacked from UMNO early on in their career,” Ong said.
After that, the opportunity to return with even more experience was something many Malaysians and voters would welcome, Ong said. – May 2, 2023
Main pic credit: Twitter/Keluar Sekejap
