GEORGE TOWN: Khairy Jamaluddin says he will wait for a decision on when Umno elections will be held before deciding on which post he will contest.

The Science, Technology and Innovation Minister said he wants to wait and see if there is a decision to hold party polls this year or to postpone it.

"I want to wait and see if there is a decision to postpone it or if they hold the election this year.

"They need to decide first," he said when asked if he would be contending for the president's post in the Umno elections.

He was speaking at a press conference held after a working visit to the Caring Society Complex in Jalan Utama here Thursday (April 1).

Following months of public squabbling involving Umno’s top leaders, it was reported that Khairy, who is also the Rembau MP, had called for party polls to be held as soon as possible, saying this would be the best way to end the impasse between rival camps.

“There is only one way to resolve the internal crisis in Umno - expedite the party polls. Don’t postpone it until after the general election.

“The party polls should have been held this year, ” he said in an Instagram post.

Khairy said Umno must head into the general election with a leadership able to obtain a clear mandate from the people.

Urging the party's supreme council to “do the right thing”, he said: “Expedite the party polls. You know we cannot continue like this.”

Political observers have noted that Umno is currently split between factions led by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

Ahmad Zahid has declared that Umno will sever ties with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, while Annuar is urging Umno to stay on in the Perikatan Nasional coalition.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/04/01/khairy-says-will-wait-for-decision-on-umno-polls-before-deciding-on-post-to-contest