KUALA LUMPUR: The audience at an auditorium of a private university here erupted in laughter when two former members of parliament from opposing political parties jokingly proposed forming a political party together.
Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who was sacked from Umno early this year, mooted the idea to Selangor DAP treasurer Ong Kian Ming.
Ong, who is a former Bangi MP, replied in jest that he would consider if Khairy was the president of the new party.
"Just to add to that, I agree 100 per cent with what Kian Ming said and perhaps we should start a political party together," said Khairy, which drew laughter and applause from the audience.
Khairy and Ong were panellists at the UCSI University talk Designing the Future titled What's Next For Malaysia? held at its Kuala Lumpur campus here.
Ong, who is former deputy international trade and industry minister, then replied; "If you are the president, then I will consider it."
Khairy said Ong's response would generate a lot of media attention tomorrow.
"The media has its headline tomorrow," Khairy said.
Earlier, Khairy agreed with Ong's view that Malaysians leaving for better opportunities overseas were not necessarily a brain drain but a human capital deployment in a more efficient way.
Ong said the challenge was now for companies in the country to tap into their networks and bring back those employed overseas to occupy strategic positions in the public and private sectors.
Earlier this month, Ong during online podcast 'Keluar Sekejap' said Khairy and another Umno leader Shahril Hamdan should join DAP as the party lacks candidates for the prime ministerial position.
Ong said this when responding to Khairy's question as to why he and Shahril should join DAP.
