Sounds like a ‘PM in waiting’, Khairy says of Zahid’s speech at Umno assembly

Away for nearly three years, Umno returnee Khairy Jamaluddin attends his first party general assembly at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur on September 11, 2026. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

By Arif Zikri

First Published: Friday, 11 Sep 2026 1:48 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s keynote at the party’s general assembly this morning earned praise from Khairy Jamaluddin.

Khairy, an Umno returnee after being sacked three years ago for alleged disciplinary infractions and breaches of party discipline during GE15 – described the speech as crystal clear on Barisan Nasional’s (BN) direction ahead of the coming general election.

“This is the speech of a prime minister in waiting and a speech of a government in waiting,” Khairy told reporters after Zahid’s speech at the 2026 Umno general assembly here.

In his address, Zahid described Umno as a far-sighted party with a long-term vision for Malaysia, rather than one that merely hopes to survive one election after another.

He also called for the GE16 to be held as soon as possible, saying it was time for BN to seek a fresh mandate to lead the country.

Zahid further pledged that Malaysia’s courts and institutions would not be used as political tools should BN return to Putrajaya.

The third day of the assembly was also attended by four PAS leaders, including its vice-president Datuk Idris Ahmad, secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, and assistant secretary-general Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman.