Khairy Risks Hurting Image By Joining Pn Says Analyst

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An analyst says it will be tough for Khairy Jamaluddin to resurrect his political career if he joins PN and ends up on the losing side in the Selangor state election. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin will not be able to help remove Perikatan Nasional’s conservative image or quell fears among urban Malays and non-Muslims over the so-called “green wave”, says an analyst.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid said Khairy, who previously said he had rejected PN’s offer to defect when he was still with Umno, would also risk hurting his progressive image.
On Monday, Khairy said he had received several offers to contest in the coming Selangor election, with one party even including the menteri besar’s post in its pitch.
However, according to a report by The Star, the former Rembau MP. who was sacked by Umno last month, declined to reveal which party made the offer.
A source in the know told FMT it was PN that made Khairy the offer.
Fauzi said if Khairy decided to join PN, the coalition would rally behind him in the hope of capturing the state. However, should PN lose, his fate would come into question.
“He lacks grassroots support in PN. He will be left to fend for himself, and even his multi-ethnic and urban supporters are likely to desert him for siding with PN.
“A one-man show in PN, Khairy is likely to be swallowed up by PN’s politics rather than moulding PN into a pluralist entity in line with his ethos,” he said.
He said if Khairy should join PN and end up on the losing side, it would be difficult to resurrect his career and that it would damage his progressive image.
Political scientist Wong Chin Huat said joining PN would be a gamble for Khairy.
“He would certainly carry much of the Barisan Nasional base and the Malay middle-ground voters,” the Sunway University professor told FMT. “But his image would likely be compromised by its association with PN, especially if PAS makes some off-putting statements.”
Wong also said even if PN could get Khairy to join them, non-Malays and liberals would still rally behind PH and BN. - FMT

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