Khairy says Zahid's UMNO speech signals ambition, not endorsement for premiership

Former UMNO Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin told listeners that his description of UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as a “prime minister-in-waiting” was intended to acknowledge Zahid’s expansive policy vision, not to endorse his ascent to the premiership. He noted that Zahid’s recent speech went beyond party rhetoric, presenting a “Blue Malaysia Agenda” with eight strategic initiatives for the nation’s 2057 centenary, including science, the future economy, rural transformation, racial inclusiveness and GST reforms.

Khairy stressed that the ultimate decision rests with voters. Co-host Shahril Hamdan observed that Khairy’s wording remains ambiguous, allowing supporters to read it as a signal of Zahid’s ambition. The remarks follow Khairy’s earlier praise of the speech as that of a government-in-waiting at the 2026 UMNO General Assembly. He reiterated that the speech signaled readiness rather than a guaranteed appointment.