KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — Despite holding different political beliefs, DAP’s Ong Kian Ming believes Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan to have what it takes to be future prime minister candidates.
The former Bangi MP today suggested that Khairy and Shahril who were part of an Umno purge in January for criticising their current party leadership should join the DAP.
In today’s “Keluar Sekejap” podcast, the pair asked Ong if they should join DAP and why.
“Yes, it should be considered.
“Because DAP needs prime ministerial candidates and both of you fit the bill,” he replied Khairy and Shahril in the episode titled “Kenapa Melayu Tak Suka DAP? OKM Keluar Sekejap atau Sendiri?”
Shahril also asked Ong what he would do in their position and for advice on moving forward.
Ong said Shahril could have a bright future in the corporate sector, based on the latter’s experience as economic director in the Prime Minister’s Office during Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration and consultant at McKinsey and Company.
As for Khairy, Ong felt the former could look for a position at an international organisation, such as a United Nations agency or a global think tank.
“You getting rid of me?” Khairy joked in response.
“You can get more experience and a higher stature as what was done by the former prime minister (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin),” Ong replied, proceeding to list out names of prime ministers who had been sacked from Umno.
After that, the opportunity to return with even more experience was something many Malaysians and voters would welcome, he said.
In January, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan announced Khairy’s expulsion over alleged breaches of party discipline, and the imposition of a six-year suspension of Shahril’s party rights.
