Khairy versus Tok Mat, a clash of titans in Negeri Sembilan?
With speculation swirling over Khairy Jamaluddin’s future post-Umno, questions are also raised about the effect that BN’s ties with PH might have at the state election.
(MalaysiaNow) – With elections looming in six states this year, speculation is swirling around former Umno man Khairy Jamaluddin, who was sacked from his party in January and has yet to give any indication of where he might be inclined to go.
Since his sacking, Khairy, the former Umno Youth chief, has kept himself busy with his “Keluar Sekejap” podcast and recently said he did not want to rush into a decision just because of the upcoming elections.
But the announcement by Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin that Khairy had been offered both membership and a spot on the Bersatu Supreme Council has renewed debate on the future of the man who only last year stated his intention to become prime minister one day.
If he accepts Muhyiddin’s invitation, the former Rembau MP might be assigned to lead the opposition pact in Negeri Sembilan, setting him up as a likely candidate for the position of menteri besar.
In the event that such a scenario plays out, his biggest challenge might be Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, who was fielded in Rembau instead of Khairy at the 15th general election (GE15) last year.
Mohamad, popularly known as Tok Mat, won the race in Rembau and Khairy’s spot in Parliament, while Khairy himself was fielded in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) stronghold of Sungai Buloh, eventually losing to the candidate from PKR.
