Speaking to reporters after a product launch today, the former health minister said he was “living his best life” now.

“Why would I want to leave this?” he said.

Speculation on Khairy’s possible appointment to the Cabinet arose following the resignations of Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad from their ministerial posts.

The former Umno Youth chief said in February that he remained undecided on his next move, following calls for him to stay out of Umno for good or join PAS.

In response to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reportedly saying that those who “keluar sekejap (exit briefly)” from the party should stay out, he said it was “an interesting suggestion”.

Khairy and ex-information chief Shahril Hamdan started the “Keluar Sekejap” podcast in 2023, discussing political, social and other contemporary issues.

Khairy was sacked from Umno in January 2023 for breaching party discipline during the 15th general election. Shahril, meanwhile, was given a six-year suspension in August 2022.