SHAH ALAM – Former Umno leader and expelled member Khairy Jamaluddin is set to appear at an Umno Youth programme, further fuelling speculation that he may soon make a comeback to the party.
Khairy would be a panellist at the Rundingan Meja Bulat Nasional (Rimbun 1.0) forum, to be held at the Umno Auditorium in Menara Dato’ Onn, Kuala Lumpur on Nov 7.
The programme, themed Education System Reform in the Age of AI and the Empowerment of Teaching Institutions, was announced by Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh on his Facebook page on Friday.
Also joining the panel are former education minister Professor Dr Maszlee Malik and Akmal himself, while Mohammad Sollehin Mohamad Tajie would serve as moderator.
Earlier, sources close to Khairy confirmed that the former Rembau member of parliament had expressed his desire to rejoin Umno in a meeting with party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
A photo of their meeting at the wedding of Perlis Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman’s daughter later went viral on social media.
It was understood that Zahid had asked Khairy to submit a membership application to rejoin Umno after his expulsion in January 2023, following his outspoken criticism of the party’s top leadership during the 15th General Election campaign.
Meanwhile, Akmal said the panellists chosen for Rimbun 1.0 were notable figures with expertise in discussing education issues.
“These are not ordinary guests. So, don’t just talk about it over coffee or on Facebook. I invite everyone to join the discussion and share ideas for a better future for our national education system.
“We’ll meet on Nov 7, 2025, at the Umno Auditorium, Menara Dato’ Onn at 8am. The future of our education system is the future of our nation,” he said.
In addition, three other prominent figures will speak in the first session titled Empowerment of Teaching Institutions: former education minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, former Education Department director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom, and Kelantan Umno Youth vice-chief Datuk Mohd Sharizal Semsuddin.