“Grovel” — that’s not the word Ahmad Zahid Hamidi used, but it’s certainly - at least to me - the sentiment he conveyed when speaking about the possible return of exiled Umno leaders.
What Zahid actually said was that suspended or sacked Umno members must first show “remorse” and “commitment” to the party’s cause before they can be accepted back into the fold. He emphasized that the party would handle these cases with “discretion and prudence,” especially for those who left under controversial circumstances.
Speaking at the Lumut division’s general meeting, Zahid cited a former Kedah Umno division leader — unnamed, but reportedly a successful entrepreneur — who had once been vocal in his criticism but now wants back in.
He also pointed to Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, the former Pasir Salak MP, who was suspended in 2022 for openly attacking Zahid’s leadership. Tajuddin’s suspension was lifted in late 2024 — after he apologized and repeatedly appealed.
“I’m not cruel,” Zahid said to indicate that if exiled Umno leaders could just bring themselves to bend their knees and kiss his hands, he will most certainly consent to them making a comeback.
But make no mistake — remorse is the price of reentry.
And it’s clear who this message is aimed at.
Speculation has been heating up that exiled leaders like Khairy Jamaluddin may be contemplating a return to Umno. While Zahid offered the velvet glove, Puad Zarkashi showed the iron fist. The Umno Supreme Council member flatly dismissed any talk of Khairy’s return, saying the party has no need for “populists” who only serve themselves.
“I will not agree to it,” he told FMT. “Umno doesn’t need populists. They bring no benefit to the party.”
Khairy, for his part, seems to be enjoying his time out of politics — at least publicly. Just last month, he laughed off suggestions that he might return to government under Anwar Ibrahim. “I’m living my best life,” he said, relishing his business ventures and podcasting work, particularly his brand partnerships promoting Malaysian products.
But that was before Dr Akmal Saleh, Umno Youth Chief, extended a clear olive branch. He invited suspended and sacked leaders like Khairy, Hishammuddin Hussein, and Shahril Hamdan to put aside their egos if they truly care for the party. He even said he’d help facilitate their return.
And just like that, Khairy — who had been adamant that he was fine where he was — said he’d now consider the offer.
This is no small shift.
For years, Khairy has been grouped with Nurul Izzah and Rafizi Ramli as the next generation of potential prime ministers. But while Nurul is rising through the PKR ranks as the new number two, and Rafizi is recalibrating after his own setback, Khairy’s next move has remained a question mark.
He can’t stay on the sidelines forever. Not if he still harbors ambitions for national leadership. Wait too long, and his rivals will leave him in the dust.
So the real question is not if Khairy will make a move — but when. And when he does, will he choose pride over pragmatism? Will he grovel to Zahid Hamidi?
Time will tell. But make no mistake: the cookies are going to crumble. And when it comes to Khairy Jamaluddin, they’re going to crumble sooner than you think.
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