We like to give people the freedom to work where they want, safe in the knowledge that they have the drive and expertise to perform excellently, whether they are at their desk or in their kitchen. Yours truly has never worked out of an office, and never will.
– Richard Branson, founder and chairman of Virgin Atlantic
All eyes were on former MP Khairy Jamaluddin as he took his seat in his new radio announcer gig on Wednesday.
Mere weeks after his sacking from the grand old party that is United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and apparent radio silence (pun intended), the ex-minister made a swashbuckling return to the spotlight.
“The people told me to take a ‘rest’, so I ‘rested’ by sleeping in,” he told his radio announcer colleague during his on-air session in a jest, when asked about his morning routine post-politics.
His debut during Hot FM’s morning segment saw a 75 per cent increase in digital streaming from the station’s mobile application and website.
The radio station also recorded a total of over 5.7 million engagements across the station’s social media platforms for that day alone. His popularity is at an all-time high.
His charisma carried him throughout the four-hour on-air session, one of which the listeners and his followers enjoyed.
There is indeed life after politics, after UMNO – as he kept reiterating on his social media platforms.
Apparently, the former health minister is a much sought-after figure when on the same day, he was appointed as Johor’s youth advisor and a board member of the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) football club.
From speaking engagements to the odd work trips that he has to take after politics, he is a walking definition of reinvention.
That is, not all is doom and gloom after being voted out of public office; no longer holding ministerial positions and being told to walk out of his own party.
This is something the public too has noticed – with his moves after politics, being touted as “thinking outside the box”.
“I still have political ambitions; I want people to still remember me,” he said on-air, when quizzed by his Hot FM co-host Johan and AG on why he took the radio announcer gig.
This was warmly received with a litany of well-wishers hoping that they will see the larger-than-life figure returning to public office.
Khairy’s break from politics stemmed from his disagreement about his party’s directions and decisions.
In the 15th general election (GE15), those opposed to his views in the party described him as sabotaging the party’s election chances.
He openly declared his ambitions to be a prime minister one day, and that is something that I believe is apt for a politician of his stature.
Of course, politicians are ambitious – otherwise, they would settle with an ordinary eight-to-five office job and retire from the same job some 30 or 40 years later. That much is clear.
It is also important to point out that the younger generation would be open to him one day becoming the nation’s leader.
Had we lived in a first world country, he might already have been the president or prime minister.
His post-politics life is one that I would draw similarities to that of former presidents – whose talents, capabilities and insights are sought after in many industries.
He is still relatively young, and I doubt we have seen the last of him in our nation’s politics – I still think that many youths in and outside of UMNO still look up to him as being their leader. That much I can attest to.
His successor as the party’s youth chief, did not have the charisma nor the gravitas. It is difficult to say, but it is true nonetheless.
The greatest lesson that I think aspiring politicians can take from Khairy is the importance of making a great impression when in office.
That guarantees future prospects in politics or otherwise – he did well when he was the youth and sports minister during his second term as MP.
In his third term, after in opposition for two years, and appointed as science, technology and innovation minister, he took the ever-important task of delivering the Covid-19 vaccines.
After a portfolio change and becoming the health minister, he was ever-present and did well to explain on the importance of curbing Covid-19 and coordinating pandemic response.
All these are for all to see, his work speaks for itself. While many, many politicians often err on the side of caution, they are not doing enough to make themselves memorable, at least to the general population.
That, I think, is the biggest loss for the younger population – so, impression matters and it lasts.
I wish him well and I believe many others would be following closely his future moves.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
