Ex-minister Idris Jala diagnosed with cancer

 The 'turnaround expert' says the cancer was discovered after a routine check-up on a persistent cough.

Former minister Idris Jala developed a reputation of being a ‘turnaround expert’ in the corporate world, especially as CEO of national carrier Malaysia Airlines from 2005 to 2009.

PETALING JAYA:

Former minister Idris Jala has been diagnosed with stage three lung cancer.

In an episode of his Game of Impossible podcast with his son, Leon Jala, Idris revealed that the cancer was discovered after a routine medical check-up on a persistent cough.

Idris, 67, said he would be stepping away from co-hosting the podcast, with Leon to continue hosting without him.

Idris developed a reputation of being a “turnaround expert” in the corporate world, especially after taking national carrier Malaysia Airlines from recording RM1.3 billion in losses in 2005 to RM852 million in profits just two years later.

He was the airline’s CEO from 2005 to 2009.

Idris was appointed a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in 2009, becoming the first Orang Ulu to become a federal minister in Malaysia.

As minister, he led the government’s Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) from 2009 to 2015, heading the then government’s national transformation programme.

Bloomberg listed Idris as among the 10 most influential policymakers in the world in 2014.

In 2017, Pemandu was disestablished as Pemandu Associates Sdn Bhd where Idris is currently president and chairman. - FMT