Comeback has strategic value but impact depends on whether party embraces reformist narrative: Academic
PETALING JAYA: The return to Umno of Khairy Jamaluddin may give the party a recognisable figure to attract urban Malays and younger voters, although questions remain over how smoothly his comeback will be received within party ranks.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam said he respects party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s decision to allow Khairy back but declined further comment.
Khairy’s re-entry has also renewed speculation over whether he could contest Sungai Buloh again, where he narrowly lost to PKR’s Datuk Seri R. Ramanan Ramakrishnan during the 15th general election.
Lokman pointed out that the matter would be complicated if Barisan Nasional (BN) remains aligned with Pakatan Harapan (PH) as the seat is currently held by PH.
“If the party remains with PH, then the seat belongs to PH. To vacate the seat, there must be an agreement for a swap.”
Some Umno insiders have expressed their reservations over the return of the former Rembau MP but declined to elaborate, while others such as Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor and Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan did not respond at press time.
Political analysts said Khairy still carries value for Umno but may not guarantee a wider BN revival.
International Islamic University Malaysia associate professor Dr Syaza Shukri said Khairy’s influence is strongest among urban voters, especially after his 2023 expulsion kept him outside party structures.
“He is seen as having the calibre of a national leader. He could help Umno win over young voters, provided he balances his intellectualism with the language of the average Malay.”
She added that a rematch in Sungai Buloh could favour Khairy if dissatisfaction with Ramanan persists among PKR supporters.
“If it is Ramanan against Khairy, I think Khairy’s chances are bright. To punish Ramanan, Khairy may become the choice.”
Universiti Malaya professor Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub said Khairy’s comeback carries symbolic and strategic value but added that Umno must decide whether to use him as a public-facing asset or part of a deeper internal reset.
“His influence is strong among young voters, urban professionals and the middle class. However, Umno’s weakness remains in rural Malay-majority seats where PAS and PN have made inroads.”
He said Khairy’s impact depends on whether Umno embraces his reformist narrative.
“If Umno only brings Khairy back without giving him a major role in shaping the party’s direction, then the impact may be limited to political cosmetics,” he said.
On Sungai Buloh, Tawfik said the seat would remain competitive if Khairy is fielded again, although Ramanan has the advantage of incumbency and ministerial status.
Khairy was initially sacked from Umno on Jan 27, 2023 for breaching party discipline during the 15th general election.
He submitted his appeal to rejoin Umno on March 15, with the Supreme Council approving his return on April 17 under the Gagasan Rumah Bangsa initiative.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki confirmed that Khairy was among 6,252 former members accepted back, alongside Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar.