Fahmi accuses KJ of playing race, religion card to rebuild political relevance

PAKATAN Harapan (PH) communications director Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil has accused former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin of raising issues relating to Malays and Islam in an attempt to rebuild his political standing after returning to UMNO.

Speaking to reporters after the Program Ziarah Kasih at Felda Palong 2 with PH candidate G Manivanan on Monday, Fahmi said Khairy was seeking to re-establish his political base after spending a lengthy period outside the party.

"He has been out of UMNO for quite some time and is trying to rebuild his political foundation.

"So, he will make whatever statements he feels are necessary to ensure that his presence is noticed by the public," he said.

Earlier, Khairy, the former UMNO Youth chief, said Barisan Nasional's decision to cooperate with Perikatan Nasional in the Negeri Sembilan state election was a signal to PH.

He said some party members believed the Federal Government was insufficiently sensitive to issues affecting the Malay community and had failed to fulfil several of its earlier promises.

Fahmi also rejected allegations that PH lacked Malay-Muslim leaders who champion the interests of the Malay community and Islam.

He urged Khairy not to go overboard or become overly fixated on certain views to the extent of denying the presence of Malay-Muslim leadership within PH.

"Is Anwar Ibrahim not a Malay-Muslim? Is Mohamad Sabu not a Malay-Muslim? Is Dzulkefly Ahmad not a Malay-Muslim? Are Amirudin Shari and Aminuddin Harun not Malay-Muslims?

"I think it is time to stop peddling these falsehoods. Remember, as Muslims, if what we say is untrue, we will be held accountable in the hereafter," he said. - July 21, 2026