Khairy S Rumoured Cabinet Return Reform Opportunity Or Political Gamble

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As rumours intensify around Khairy Jamaluddin’s potential re-entry into the cabinet via Umno, political observers are watching closely to gauge what such a move might signify for both the party and the coalition government.
Once a golden boy of the party who has since rebranded himself into a popular media figure and influencer, Khairy’s comeback could mark a pivotal shift in Malaysia’s political landscape - though it would not be without challenges.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s political analyst P Sivamurugan Pandian sees Khairy’s rumoured return as a symbol of Umno’s modernisation and rebranding, aiming to attract younger, urban, and moderate voters.
He feels this can be a potential reconciliatory move that could heal internal divisions, if the old guards of Umno accept Khairy as an asset, rather than a threat.
“Khairy is viewed as someone who articulates well, is progressive, and is in touch with contemporary issues.
“However, he may have to pacify the old guard after his sacking from the party to make sure they see him not as a threat but someone who can play a collective role for the party and nation,” Sivamurugan told Malaysiakini.
Khairy was sacked from Umno in late January 2023, during a purge against party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s rivals.
In the last general election, the former Rembau MP failed to wrest the Sungai Buloh seat from PKR, which was won by R Ramanan, the present deputy entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister.
Second chances
Sivamurugan noted that Khairy has used the media as a platform to shape narratives and strong public recognition, yet the latter’s role in government will need political will, party dynamics and public trust.
“It can be seen as though the government is open to political rehabilitation and values merit.
“It would also indicate a more inclusive and pragmatic approach and a shift towards reform-oriented governance where second chances are granted to those seen as capable, charismatic, and forward-looking or thinking, regardless of previous dissent,” he said.
ADSHowever, he said that Khairy should approach this opportunity - if it happens - as a return from a “political sabbatical”, much like his father-in-law, the late Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Although Abdullah won the Umno vice-presidency in 1987 under “Team B” led by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, he was not appointed to the cabinet until 1990. Yet, he eventually made a full comeback, rising to the premiership in 2003.
The 1987 Umno leadership crisis marked the party’s first major internal schism, culminating in a fierce contest between two rival factions.
Late former PM Abdullah Ahmad BadawiOn one side was Team A, led by now two-time ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his then deputy Ghafar Baba. Opposing them in Team B were Razaleigh and former deputy prime minister Musa Hitam.
Functional stop-gap for Umno?
Anis Anwar, head of research at think tank O2 Research, said that public reaction to Khairy’s potential cabinet return will largely depend on the role he is expected to play.
“His re-entry could simply show that the party wants a capable figure to fill the vacancy left by Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, which would make the appointment a functional stop-gap rather than a statement of long-term reform.
“A different reading would emerge if Umno uses this moment to elevate Khairy back into its top tier, indicating a willingness to restore him as one of the party’s main leaders.
“To date, we have seen no definite closure to the conflict and tension that existed between Khairy and the current leadership, so the chemistry between both sides remains the best indicator of what Umno truly intends in strategic terms," he told Malaysiakini.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul AzizZafrul, the investment, trade and industry minister, resigned from Umno last Friday, and is applying to join PKR. The move has angered Umno, as Zafrul is still holding on to his minister portfolio, meaning the party has one less representative in the cabinet.
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has said that Zafrul’s membership application has not yet been formally discussed.
Khairy: Past and present
Anis said that Khairy’s arrival will immediately test whether the cabinet and Anwar can accommodate his vision within day-to-day decision-making.
“Should a clash occur, public opinion is likely to side with Khairy, which would cost the government political capital.
“Conversely, if Khairy raises overall government performance to a noticeably higher level, public comparison between ‘pre-Khairy’ and ‘with-Khairy’ periods will favour him first of all.
“Only if the prime minister manages to frame those improvements as a collective cabinet success-showing that Khairy is delivering through the Madani reform agenda rather than parallel to it, will the government itself reap the bigger reward.”
Anis said that while Khairy can fill the void left by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, this would only work in the short term.
He noted that the current political configuration is dominated by Pakatan Harapan, with PKR at its core, as the prime minister himself comes from PKR.
“Looking toward the next general election, Khairy’s presence does not in itself answer the question of who will fill PKR’s senior cabinet slots once we cross the 16th general election threshold.
“In effect, any reshuffle that brings him onboard would serve as an interim arrangement, meant to keep the cabinet fully functional rather than to showcase its ultimate line-up of power players
“Still, he offers a rare blend of policy literacy, media fluency and personal reach among young professionals, qualities that could temporarily steady the administration’s public image,” Anis said.
Mere optical enhancement
International Islamic University Malaysia’s (IIUM) political analyst Syaza Syukri sees the inclusion of Khairy as a potential optical win for the coalition government, showing inclusivity and next-generation leadership.
However, she said that ideological alignment with Anwar’s team remains uncertain, and she warned that media popularity doesn’t always equate to effective governance.
“With the rise of populist politicians with backgrounds in media - think US President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy - we can see how their influence can easily translate to support in politics. But is it enough? Is popularity a good track record?
“In fact, it could lead to trouble later, especially since he (Khairy) lacks actual legitimacy since he lost the election.I think for Umno specifically, they really don’t have much choice now.
“I know they’re working on a new leadership, but until then, they still need these mid-level politicians, and Khairy is an asset in a way as long as he agrees to follow the party’s rules,” he said.
Syaza suggested that Khairy’s return would indicate Umno is ready to move past the rifts of 2022 and reconsolidate, reflecting a stronger position under Zahid’s leadership - one that could accommodate former rivals and approach GE16 with renewed unity, possibly alongside Harapan.
‘I’m busy’
Khairy last week dismissed speculation of rejoining politics soon, saying he is focused on other commitments for the rest of the year despite cabinet reshuffle rumours.
Podcast host Khairy Jamaluddin“I just want to say that I have a lot of unfinished projects and business that I need to take care of. I’m quite happy doing what I’m doing for the time being.
“At least until the end of the year, I’m not thinking of rejoining politics,” he said when approached at the sidelines of a forum in Kuala Lumpur regarding hospital treatment costs.
When asked whether he is open to the idea and how he would respond if given the opportunity, the former health minister again emphasised that he has prior engagements. - Mkini

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