After GE-14, Khairy Jamaluddin tweeted that Najib Razak and his 1MDB scandal are the main cause of Barisan Nasional’s defeat. But a month before that, during the campaigning period, he was friendly with the former Prime Minister, coming out with a campaign video filmed at a mamak eatery.
Nevertheless, he did not verbally assault Najib for nothing as he was one of the three candidates that were contesting for the presidential position in UMNO.
In the meantime, UMNO and PAS also grew closer to one another. The relationship between both parties’ leader Abdul Hadi Awang and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi grew stronger with both attending each other’s events.
Subsequently, Khairy opposed the alliance between UMNO and PAS because both ideological differences are too wide. At that time, Khairy had just lost the UMNO presidency race to Zahid. Thus, it is not surprising for him to oppose the alliance.
However, Khairy has toned down after PAS said that they will sit out the Rantau by-election, supporting UMNO instead. Subsequently, Zahid proposed to formalise UMNO and PAS collaboration. This time, Khairy still opposing the idea of a coalition with PAS, citing ideological difference, acknowledging collaboration on certain issues like opposing the ICERD ratification.
Today, UMNO and PAS have formalised their alliance. Khairy has yet to comment anything on the UMNO-PAS coalition.
According to the media exposure, Khairy also has become less active recently. Instead, his successor for UMNO Youth chief, Asyraf Wajdi has overtaken him in the media. Without any position in UMNO, Khairy’s influence in the party seems to be decreasing.
Besides, UMNO-PAS collaboration has produced two by-election victories. So, it will be difficult for Khairy to oppose the status quo. What will be his next move to make himself prominent again in UMNO?
Source: Malaysia Indicator
