'I'm living my best life now,' says KJ on joining Cabinet speculation
PUTRAJAYA: Khairy Jamaluddin today kept mum over speculation that he may join the Cabinet under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership.
The former health minister and former Rembau member of parliament said he is currently enjoying life as a podcast host and radio presenter.
"I'm enjoying a good life now. Why would I want to give this up?" he said when met by reporters at the launch of Tealive's 3-in-1 Instant Drink Powder at a shopping mall here today.
Speculation surrounding the political future of the former Umno Youth chief arose following the resignation of Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Both Rafizi and Nik Nazmi submitted their resignations after failing to defend their posts during the PKR election last month.
This triggered speculation suggesting that Khairy was expected to return as a minister.
Khairy declined to comment when asked about former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's call for Malays, including members of other parties, to join the Sekretariat Orang Melayu movement.
"I'm not a member of Perikatan Nasional or Umno at the moment. It is best that I don't comment. Let's focus on today's launch," he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Asean News Headlines as at 10pm on Friday (June 6, 2025)
Malaysia: * Engineer loses over RM1.5mil to online investment scam * Anwar expresses hope for Pakistan and India to find peaceful solution * Hadi hints he may step down as PAS president * US judge again halts ban on foreign students at Harvard * PETRONAS job cuts mainly affect contract workers, says Anwar * Malaysia reaffirms commitment to disaster-resilient education through national policy - Ahmad Zahid * FRU crash tragedy: JPJ opens investigation paper on lorry company * E-invoicing deadlines for businesses with revenue below RM5mil revised, says LHDN * S'wak keen on global partnerships in its bid to become a clean energy leader * Abim condemns US veto of UN Security Council's call for Gaza ceasefire * No foul play in death of man hit by LRT train in Puchong, say police * Police complete recording actor-cum-singer's statement over alleged sexual assault * High-rise tragedies show a systemic failure to ensure child safety, says children's commissioner Singapore: * Former senior minister Teo Chee Hean to be next Temasek chairman, taking over from Lim Boon Heng * Four charged over suspected involvement in 'blessing' scams * S$6,000 fine for man who falsely claimed Singapore minister made offensive remarks against Malays * Growing Temasek: Lim Boon Heng's contributions as chairman over the years * S$6k fine for man who falsely claimed Singapore minister made offensive remarks against Malays * Over 200 people investigated for suspected roles in scams in Singapore involving more than RM19.20mil in losses * Queues at VEP application centres in Singapore, JB after news of enforcement from July 1 * Ex-Singapore transport minister S. Iswaran completes home detention scheme, no longer under prison custody * Barge grounded off Tanjong Beach in Singapore's Sentosa, no reports of damage, injuries or pollution: MPA * Hong Kong branch of Singaporean 1880 club in liquidation with HK$20 million debt * Singapore can leverage on its trust premium * Asian equities see largest monthly foreign inflow in 15 months * Oil prices headed for rebound this week as US-China trade talks resume Indonesia: * Joyful aidiladha celebrations in Indonesia, communal spirit at embassy deepens brotherhood * Indonesia may install permanent stairlift at Borobudur Temple: Minister * Economic hardships subdue the mood for Eid al-Adha (Hari Raya Haji) in Indonesia this year * Indonesian legendary band Sheila on 7 returns to Malaysian for Latihan Pestapora super concert now at Bukit Jalil * Indonesian diva and pop princess Bunga Citra Lestari all set to bring her love tunes to KLCC on sept 27 * Indonesia wealth fund considers stake in Grab-GoTo deal, Bloomberg News reports * Badminton -- Superb comeback as Tang Jie-Ee Wei reach Indonesian Open semis * Woman thrives in cattle trading dominated by men Thailand: * Thailand conducts evacuation drills in seven border provinces amid tensions with Cambodia * Thai Airways shuts down Thai Smile after 12 years of losses * Thailand to begin trade talks with US — high-level negotiations underway * Thailand inflation remains negative in May; government cuts 2025 forecast * Asean remains a credible partner on global stage, says Thai minister * Thai military prepared for 'high-level operation' if Cambodia border row escalates * Thailand urges positive engagement after Cambodia threatens to take dispute to World Court * M'sia, Thailand tackle flood risks - Countries agree on early warning plan to enhance disaster response Filipino Muslims preparing butchered goats during the celebration of Eid Al-Adha at the Blue Mosque in Taguig, Metro Manila on June 6, 2025. - AFP Philippines: * Holding Sara Duterte trial isn't a choice, it's our constitutional duty, says senator * US military's logistics drill aims to burnish its East Asia crisis response * Philippines' jobless rate rises to 4.1 per cent in April * Filipino actress Michelle Dee bitten in the face by pet dog * Philippines: Sara questions impeachment trial Vietnam: * Cannes-winning film to compete at Danang Asian Film Festival 2025 * US Indo-Pacific commander calls PLA moves in strait 'rehearsals', not exercises * Vietnamese say no to more kids even after two-child limit scrapped; many prefer small family * Tariff War - Washington, Hanoi to fast-track trade negotiations * Vietnam's Vingroup seeks loan to buy KKR's Vinschool stake/ Foreign investment surges in five months Myanmar: * Six-year-old girl among Myanmar group arrested for killing retired general * 75 years of China-Myanmar ties commemorated in Myanmar with emphasis on bilateral cooperation, support Cambodia: * Cambodian troops deploy 12,000 soldiers near Chong Bok border: Source * Cambodia rejects Thai request for withdrawal of border forces * Cambodia's bold pledge to eliminate plastic pollution * Chinese and South-East Asian experts led by Cambodia share dolphin conservation strategies Laos: * Lao PM calls for united efforts to protect the environment * Laos takes steps to enhance irrigation development Brunei: * Malaysia, Brunei boost disaster, security cooperation * Brunei celebrates World Environment Day and its youth leadership * Brunei launches environment platform for youth AseanPlus: * Hong Kong tracks system that may develop into first 2025 typhoon * Japan curry shops see record bankruptcies as rice prices soar * Australian bouncy castle operator cleared over accident that killed six children * Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong charged under Beijing-imposed security law for second time * Australian cities offer free public transport to fill empty seats, ease cost of living pain * US visa hurdles put international students on edge * Japan allows longer nuclear plant lifespans * 'Elon Musk is not the father of my kids': J-pop diva Ayumi Hamasaki sets the record straight * India vows to keep up development in Kashmir after tourist attack * OECD: America emerges as biggest loser in Trump's trade war * Nepal ex-PM faces graft charge over land deal with Indian yoga guru's firm * Chinese tourist drowns at Pulau Perhentian * Over 70 delegates expected for Asean council meeting on drug menace next week in KL * Local actress Saidah Kamarudin cancels wedding, claims ex has only RM500 in his bank account * Trump says call with Xi produced 'very positive conclusion' * 14 emergency cardiac procedures in Saudi Haj hospital unit * Private lunar lander close to touchdown on moon's far north Models of the lunar lander Resilience (centre, left) and the lunar rover Tenacious (centre, right) operated by Japanese private company ispace are displayed at the Moon landing event venue in Tokyo on June 6, 2025. - AFP * Japan space ambitions dealt another blow after Ispace moon landing fails * Trump and Musk's relationship flames out just as intensely * From bros to foes: how the unlikely Trump-Musk relationship imploded * China's scientists unlock secrets of how early birds conquered the skies and publicly as it started * 'Treated like a criminal': Fury over Hong Kong student's Australian deportation * Harvard speech sparks China debate on elite education access, privilege * Tech giants' indirect emissions rose 150% in three years as AI expands, UN agency says * China's first foreign-owned hospital seeks medical tourists * More leave to address declining birth rates in China * Japan curry shops see record bankruptcies as rice prices soar * Indian police arrest four people for cricket fans stampede * South Korean conservatives looking for rebirth after election loss * Google's new AI-powered search has arrived. Proceed with caution * Is Labubu the next Hello Kitty? Analysts debate Pop Mart's limits * Burning ship abandoned in Pacific carried several Chinese car brands * Hong Kong bank robbery suspect's 'illogical' target sparks online debate * Taiwan's Pegatron says it is in final stage of evaluating US factory plan * 'Man mums' in China sell five-minute hugs for US$7, gain popularity among lonely women * Olympics - US travel ban will not hinder Los Angeles Olympics, LA28 CEO says * Soccer - Japan's Moriyasu mourns end of unbeaten run after loss to Australia * Ex-US envoy to China warns of Beijing involvement in Ukraine-Russia talks * Australian accused in mushroom murders searched for deadly strain before deaths, court hears * Another forced break as Tze Yong goes for knee surgery but he's staying positive * Tennis - Laser-focused Gauff ends Boisson's dream run to reach French Open final * Tennis - Finally conquering Paris clay would mean the world to me, says Sabalenka
Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Madani economic reforms earn 50% score from Khairy
The number of people who pay taxes in Malaysia is disproportionately smaller than our peers, said Khairy Jamaluddin. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin has given the Madani government a 50% score for its performance on structural economic reforms since its formation in November 2022. Khairy pointed to three key areas that he believed demanded changes – widening the tax base, rationalising subsidies and pension reforms. He said the unity government has yet to carry out meaningful tax reforms to widen its revenue base, which he added was significantly lower even compared with peers in terms of gross domestic product. 'The number of people that pay taxes in Malaysia is disproportionately smaller than our peers, and that creates a problem for the government because your revenue base is too small. That's why we introduced the GST (goods and services tax),' he said, referring to the tax scheme introduced by the Najib Razak government in 2015. He pointed out that the planned expansion of the sales and service tax has been repeatedly delayed, while maintaining that a consumption tax like the GST was the way to go. (Government figures show that GST raised RM43.8 billion in 2018, while SST for 2024 is estimated at 44.7 billion) On subsidy rationalisation, Khairy said the biggest hurdle was targeting the RON95 petrol subsidies, which cost Putrajaya RM20 billion in 2023. The former Rembau MP said the last major reform needed was pension reforms, which is expected to balloon to around RM30 billion in the next decade. 'And it's going to rise because of the number of civil servants retiring, and life expectancy has also gone up,' he said, adding that the solution was getting rid of pensions for new government hires and shifting to EPF contributions. 'So if out of three big structural reforms, it's one and a half. So it's 50%,' he said in an episode of the Game of Impossible podcast with former minister Idris Jala and his son, Leon. The government is set to implement targeted subsidies for RON95 in the second half of the year, though details have not been released yet. Putrajaya has also announced that new civil servants would no longer get pensions but would contribute to EPF and the Social Security Organisation. Khairy reiterated that these reforms were important to ensure the country had enough funds for public services like health, education, and transport. 'You don't have enough money to make all the changes you want,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Ministers shouldn't have to fake it till they make it, says KJ
Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin said people appointed to the Cabinet need time to settle in and cannot be expected to know everything about their jobs from day one. PETALING JAYA : Newly-appointed ministers should be given more time to settle into their jobs after being appointed to the Cabinet, says former minister Khairy Jamaluddin. The ex-health minister said that members of the Cabinet were expected to know everything related to their portfolio from day one, adding that this was unrealistic. 'The moment a minister is announced and appointed, almost the very next day, they see the press, and the press asks them, 'What are your priorities? This guy doesn't even know what day it is. They have to pretend. I mean, fake it till you make it, right?' he said in an episode of the Game of Impossible podcast with former minister Idris Jala and his son, Leon. Khairy said ministers need at least two or three weeks to understand their ministries. The former Rembau MP recounted how he took matters into his own hands when appointed as health minister in 2021, a portfolio which he admitted he was not very familiar with at the time. 'I had some goodwill with one of the big consulting companies because they did work for me before. So I asked them, can you help onboard me; that was my own initiative,' he said. Khairy said the firm then arranged virtual briefings with health experts from around the world as he learned about the portfolio. 'They brought in their partners from all over the world, from healthcare financing, public health, health economics, looking at how other countries transform their hospitals.' Since Malaysia's political system does not appoint specialists to such posts, Khairy said ministers must make the effort to understand their roles. 'You want somebody who's considered, somebody who's measured, somebody who knows what's realistic, rather than somebody just spewing absolute nonsense on day one,' he said. Revamp ministry offices Khairy, who has also served as minister for science, technology and innovation as well as youth and sports, also criticised the way ministerial offices were structured in Putrajaya, saying the layout often separated the minister from key staff. 'You walk into the office and you know this room is the private secretary, this room is the press secretary… That's not being in the trenches with the troops,' he said. The former Umno man said he changed this in the health ministry at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, opting instead to work side-by-side with his officers. He said his room was the same size as that of the ministry's secretary-general, 'same size as the directors of the task force'. 'When the troops see the generals there together, decision-making is easier,' said Khairy.
