10 reasons why KJ isn’t a PM material, Malaysians must carefully examine his past track record

 

FORMER health minister Khairy Jamaluddin a.k.a. KJ has recently been signalling a return to UMNO, the depraved political party where he built his career but from which he was sacked.

Many observers believe he is positioning himself for a future election run as prime minister (PM).

Before Malaysians get excited about a “new” political chapter, it is important to consider KJ’s past. Here are 10 reasons why Malaysians should never trust KJ.

#1. A career built on UMNO’s old system

KJ rose to power within UMNO, the notorious political party long criticised for corruption, theocratic racism and political patronage.

He benefited from the same political system that the majority of Malaysians soundly rejected in past elections.

KJ (right) with incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak

#2. Muted during the 1MDB scandal

When the 1MDB scandal harmed Malaysia’s global reputation, many Malaysians expected KJ to speak out. But of course, he was silent on the matter.

#3. Close association with Bossku and UMNO

Who can forget KJ’s cringeworthy 2018 UMNO election campaign video at a mamak restaurant with disgraced former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak?

Despite losing that election in a devastating landslide defeat, KJ has for years defended Najib’s administration and has remained politically adjacent to UMNO ever since.

KJ was the former UMNO Youth chief from 2008-2018

#4. The RM100 mil ministerial corruption case

While KJ was the youth and sports minister, a senior official in his ministry was arrested over a corruption case with the embezzlement theft of more than RM100 mil.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) seized RM20 mil in assets from the official, including 12 vehicles and 69 bank accounts.

Khairy said he accepted responsibility for weaknesses in oversight but the scandal raised serious questions about his leadership and accountability under his watch.

#5. Vaccine procurement controversies

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Khairy oversaw Malaysia’s often-chaotic vaccination programme in his final ministerial portfolio prior to losing the Sungai Buloh parliamentary contest in the 2022 general election.

Many Malaysians rightfully raised questions about disorganised vaccine roll-outs, corruption and kickbacks in vaccine procurement, a glitchy appointment booking system, discrimination against migrants seeking the vaccine and other related decisions that KJ made.

#6. His authenticity problem

KJ has repeatedly shown an ability to change his public opinion depending on which way the political wind is blowing.

To critics, this is classic KJ opportunism and typical of his trying to survive politically rather than to be authentic.

#7. Controversies during the 2017 SEA Games

When Malaysia hosted the 2017 SEA Games under KJ’s watch as youth and sports minister, the event was hit by multiple embarrassing controversies.

For example, a Malaysian diver was tested positive for illegally “doping” on the banned drug sibutramine, costing Malaysia a gold medal.

Malaysian football hooligans were also filmed publicly chanting insults such as “Singapura anjing dibunuh saja” (literally, “Singapore dogs should best be killed”).

The Games’ guidebook further printed the Indonesian flag upside-down, resulting in the hashtag “#shameonyoumalaysia” became the most popular Twitter hashtag for a time.

There were also credible accusations of Malaysian athletes cheating or receiving suspiciously biased judging decisions in several sports, including race-walking, boxing and pencak silat. Neighbouring Southeast Asian countries publicly protested Malaysia.

Despite KJ crowing “mission accomplished” at the end of the Games, the opposite impact was felt given the numerous allegations of cheating and bias that severely damaged Malaysia’s sporting reputation in the ASEAN region rather than improving it.

#8. An Oxford degree is not a guarantee of good leadership

KJ often highlights his tertiary education at the Oxford University. While this is a storied academic achievement, a name-brand university degree does not automatically make someone honest, ethical or wise.

Otherwise, Najib’s and former Wanita UMNO chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Jalil’s disgraced daughters Nooryana and Izzana respectively would have been elected a minister long time ago.

KJ should remember that many leaders around the world have elite degrees but still fail the public.

#9. Weak ‘reformist’ branding

KJ sometimes presents himself as a modern, tech-savvy ‘reformist’ in Malaysian politics. However, critics claim he spent most of his career inside the same political system many Malaysians wanted to change.

Also, will he meaningfully help non-Malay minorities if he is elected as prime minister? Most likely not.

#10. Clear ambitions to become PM

KJ’s recent political moves suggest he hopes to return to political power with even bigger ambitions. Malaysians should carefully examine his full record before considering him as a future PM. Is he really interested in humble ‘public service’?

These are only 10 of the myriad reasons why KJ is not to be trusted. For years, Malaysia has already learned painful lessons about leadership.

A big vocabulary, higher education and podcast popularity are not enough. Today, wiser voters must judge politicians not only by their potential but also by their actions. – March 10, 2026

 

Corruption Watch is a reader of FocusMalaysia.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.