Puad made it clear he would not support Khairy’s return, describing the former Rembau MP as someone who only looked out for himself.

“I didn’t hear anything about Umno bringing him back but I will not agree to it,” he told FMT in reference to talk of Khairy rejoining Umno.

“Umno doesn’t need populists. They bring no benefit to the party and only serve their own interests.”

According to Puad, Umno needs loyalists who respect the party’s decision-making processes.

“Umno needs those who are loyal and respect consultation. Khairy has proven he doesn’t have that quality,” he said.

He also accused Khairy of continuing to be driven by ego, saying the former health minister had not even appealed his sacking from Umno.

Puad, who is the Rengit assemblyman, warned that any attempt to negotiate with Khairy to return to Umno could anger grassroots members.

Instead, he called for the party to prioritise those who had appealed their expulsion and were still waiting for a decision, such as former Jempol Umno chief Salim Sharif.

He likened Khairy to former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, saying they both undermined their respective parties.

“To me, Khairy is just like Rafizi in terms of character – unwilling to follow consensus. Khairy attacked the party during the 15th general election campaign, while Rafizi attacked his party during the internal party polls. It would be better if they both just formed a new party together,” he said.

Yesterday, news portal SuaraTV reported that Khairy was in the process of returning to the party, more than two years after his expulsion.

According to the report, efforts to bring Khairy back began following the death of his father-in-law, former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.