UMNO president Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has taken a swipe at Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan, saying the duo can stay out of Umno for good.

While the Umno president did not specifically name anyone, Ahmad Zahid that those who “keluar sekejap” (exited briefly) can “keluar selama-lamanya” (stay out for good) – clearly referring to the popular ‘Keluar Sekejap’ podcast started by the two ex-Umno men.

“My goal is to reunite (party members), those who left can do so for good. Those who ‘keluar sekejap’ can stay out forever, is okay,” he said at the Buletin TV3 podcast on Sunday (Feb 2).

The Bagan Datuk MP said that Umno has become a small party due to factions that had taken place within the party resulting in it only winning 26 parliamentary seats in 15th general election (GE15).

He said those who remained loyal to the party must stay loyal and put party interests above their own.

Khairy founded the “Keluar Sekejap” podcast with ex-information chief Shahril Hamdan in 2023 after being removed from Umno.

The podcast show which has gained popularity since has a total of 141 episodes, and discusses political, social and other contemporary issues.

Khairy, who is a former health minister, was sacked from Umno in January 2023, due to disciplinary violations in the party during GE 15 while Shahril was suspended for six years in August 2022.

Ahmad Zahid said it’s better for Umno to have a smaller number of members rather than having to deal with members who were a “pain in the neck”.

He also said Umno members should emulate him to be truthful and not be afraid of being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“Just tell investigators the truth. Let the courts decide (on your innocence) like I did. I was slapped with 87 charges but I defended myself in court,” he said.

“I was not worried and I stuck with Umno,” he said.