Zahid: Khairy turned down three offers for top positions in Umno (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Khairy Jamaluddin has turned down multiple offers by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to take up top posts in the party before and after the Umno election in June.
Ahmad Zahid said following his victory in the race for the presidency, he had on two occasions approached Khairy for the positions of secretary-general and information chief, both of which were turned down.
He added that another offer was made to the former Umno Youth chief to contest for the deputy presidency before the elections, but was similarly declined.
"Prior to the elections, I have given him the opportunity to contest as deputy after Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein pulled out of the race, but he wanted to stick as vice-president candidate, before eventually contesting as president.
"And after he lost, I offered him to be the secretary-general of Barisan Nasional (BN), he turned it down.
"And before the announcement of the new Umno lineup, for the third time I offered him the post of Information chief. He turned that down too," he told a press conference at the parliament lobby, here, today.
Ahmad Zahid won the presidency in the much-anticipated party polls held on June 30, beating both Khairy and Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to the position.
When asked if he knew why Khairy declined, Ahmad Zahid said he assumed the former had his own plans for Umno.
"I think he probably has his own plans to assist in the reviving of Umno as a political party, as well as to play a constructive role as an opposition," he said.
Ahmad Zahid added that he had similarly offered Tengku Razaleigh roles for him to play in Umno during a meeting between them on Tuesday, but stopped short of elaborating on the matter.
"I have to negotiate with him on a number of matters about what roles he can play in the party that can be translated to Umno's revival. He will make a decision on this soon," he said.