IS Umno Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin crafting a new image for himself? Gone are the years when he was dogged by rumours of scandal while his father-in-law, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, was prime minister. Indeed, there is a new, though still emerging, picture of the 34-year-old politician. But what is this emerging identity all about? And is it for real?
To date, one of the bravest political moves Khairy has made as a young Umno leader is to call on Malay Malaysians to ditch racial dominance. He publicly argues that meritocracy and competition is the way forward for the community and the antidote for Malaysian mediocrity.
But Khairy remains a controversial figure in Umno. He may control the Youth wing (Pemuda), but the rival camps that supported the two other contestants in the Youth chief race are still silently seething.
Communal politics is also still entrenched within the movement, as evidenced by the kinds of debates that took place in the movement’s assembly after Khairy called for “Malay leadership” to replace “Malay dominance”.
In a 7 Jan 2010 e-mail interview with The Nut Graph, Khairy talks about his version of change, and how he will match action to words.
TNG: A survey has found that a higher percentage of youths reject the idea that Umno should be more inclusive. They also disagreed with your call to discard the “siege mentality“. Why do you think this is?
Khairy Jamaluddin: Only a fraction of the sample size of 358 respondents were youths. Also, the average age of the Pemuda delegate is over 30, whereas the survey samples those under 30 as representative of the youth in the party. So, in that sense, the sample is not representative of Pemuda Umno’s membership.
Notwithstanding this qualification, I believe young Umno members, and young Malay [Malaysians] for that matter, appear more resistant to a more inclusive Umno and a Malay worldview free of the siege mentality. Many among this generation have been conditioned to believe that the only way for Malay [Malaysians] to move forward is at the expense of other communities which are out to “get” them. They are, in a manner of speaking, under siege, or at least think that they are.
I wasn’t preaching to the converted when I appealed for them to discard that mentality. I was speaking to those whom I think, for the most part, embody the siege mentality.
But let me stress that this “us against them” condition is not a particularly Malay [Malaysian] phenomenon. Compared with their older counterparts, this generation of Malaysians, of all races, does not appear to hold on to the promise of Malaysia with quite the same vigour.
Some of the hope and anticipation shared by citizens of a newly independent nation is perhaps lost on those born after 1957, or even 1963. [It has been] replaced by a sense of frustration, cynicism and even distrust. The level of polarisation between ethnic communities has become so pronounced and acute.
So don’t mistake this to be unique to the Malay [Malaysians] — it is rather a generational disconnect to the idea of “Malaysia” as a united nation that we must address together. When I spoke at the Umno general assembly, I naturally focused on the Malay manifestation of this larger problem.
Overall, you’ve cast yourself as progressive and liberal for an Umno leader. Why are you sticking your neck out like this with such views?
Because those views are precisely mine as an individual who reflects on the way forward for our country. A leader leads from the front. I would not be a leader if I were to chime the chorus line for the sake of “political survival”. Expressing views that I do not sincerely believe in would be plain disingenuous; our nation needs leaders that speak their mind.
I am aware of the risks incurred when I take less conventional positions. But if politics isn’t the sphere where you speak your mind for the people’s betterment, then what is? As I have said before, if I am going to go down, then let me go down fighting for something that I believe in.
Do you have support from higher party leaders to take this approach, even if it goes against the status quo in Umno?
Umno as a whole is in the mood for change. So the “status quo” is not as popular as it may have been in the past. What may differ among party leaders and members is the content of the change. Making Umno more reactionary or exclusive is still “change”!
Thankfully, the prime minister and party president’s brand of change is one that brings Umno to the centre of the political spectrum. So long as my message is consistent with the party’s overall vision under Datuk Seri Najib Razak, I think I’ve got all the support and endorsement I need to carry out my plans.
Since your maiden Youth chief speech, how have your views been received by the Youth members?
They have been quite positive. You must understand the condition they are accustomed to and all the default reactions [and] positions that come with it.
My calls for change and the exact manner of that change were sobering for them, and they must be given the opportunity to digest this message and transform their worldview. I have not received any feedback from the ground which suggests that members are fundamentally against my views. Granted, some may have fears, reservations and prejudices — as do all of us — which may yet limit full acceptance of my vision, but with some persuasion and explanation I am confident they can accept this new Umno Youth perspective.
There have been attacks, of course, from right-wing elements in the party, especially from Umno bloggers who supported another candidate during the Pemuda leadership contest. They view my speech and vision as a betrayal to the Malay [Malaysian] cause, not knowing that it is the only way forward for the cause.
They live in a world of “us” and “them”, rights and privileges. These bloggers and activists dare not criticise the prime minister’s views on 1Malaysia and change. Instead, they take their frustrations out on me partly because they hold on to the old worldview that we must discard, and partly because they cannot accept that I beat their candidate in the party elections. They have been trying to influence my members’ views, so this is a potential threat for my agenda for change.
How do you plan to translate your speech into action for Pemuda?
I want to make our activities and agenda more multiracial and issue-based. Some traditional issues that Pemuda fights for, such as religion or empowerment of [the] Malay [Malaysian], may of course be intrinsically Malay-centric. But there are many other issues we can champion, such as poverty alleviation or even sports, which do not have to be exclusive to one ethnic group.
Here, the role of the Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth is important — Pemuda must not see itself as a standalone movement; but one that exists within the BN Youth family. Activities cutting across racial boundaries will work towards making Umno Youth more “national”, inclusive and confident because it will force us to operate beyond our comfort zones, our racial silos.
I also used the recent Pemuda retreat session to recalibrate our political education syllabus from one that was too ethnocentric to one that embraces the ethos of inclusivity and dialogue. This, to me, is critical because if I am saying one thing but our training programs are feeding grassroots leaders another kind of message altogether, then I am not going to succeed in organisational change at all.
I have also had to reflect the change in my statements. This has been difficult. Take the “Allah” controversy. Pemuda’s default position in the past would be predictable. Instead, I reasoned with my exco members that we must empathise with the Catholic point of view, hence my appeal for a dialogue between the parties involved to try and resolve the issue outside the courts. It’s refreshing that many of them agreed with my reasoning and allowed me to adopt a new position on the issue. 
Tomorrow: Umno Youth a year later
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Lion says
When he came to Penang he said he couldn’t find any Malay [Malaysians] except in Balik Pulau.
When the church burning episode broke out he said “Allah” could be used by all.
To me Khairy Jamaluddin is nothing but an opportunist specialising in sympathetic support.
This man is all talk, no action.
PeaceOnEarth says
If he is sincere, he has my vote!
Hassan says
Syabas YB kerana berjaya mengendalikan UMNO dan membawa UMNO satu cara kepimpinan yang ber-era baru. Pemuda kini di perkasakan dengan cara yang intelektual dan buka lagi dengan menggunakan tulang khudrat menunjukkan cara ketidakbijaksanaan di jalan-jalan raya. Meja perundingan adalah jalan penyelesaian yang paling baik yang saudara YB terapkan. […]. Pemuda sekarang nampak lebih intelek. Hidup YB, kalau ada kelapangan sila layari blog saya http://www.1-mal.blogspot.com/.
ron says
Khairy is above all things a very ambitious person.
J More says
KJ has been consistent so far. He was lost in the Umno wilderness for a while because his father-in-law was the PM, now he really is himself. Kudos to him, let’s see him move his party to the middle to remain relevant.
BowS says
This move to the centre is appearing more and more real. I think he’s passed the point of no return. This will be Khairy’s position for the rest of his career.
Tevez says
Good on Khairy. His stance on the Catholic church attacks changed how I view him fundamentally.
Epiphany says
Lion,
Did he actually say that about Malay [Malaysians] in Penang? Share the quote with us. This is the problem: commenters simply put words into politicians’ mouths. Happens on both sides of the aisle.
Give KJ credit. He has done a lot to show that as Umno Youth chief, the brand of leadership he wants to bring is decidedly moderate.
If you call KJ an opportunist based on a few less than savoury remarks when he was deputy Youth chief, then what on earth is Anwar Ibrahim?
Be fair.
grotesque says
Bagus, Pemuda di bawah Khairy lebih bijak dan berhikmah compared to bawah Hishammuddin keris. Pemuda perlu menjadi penjana idea, penyelesai masalah dan pejuang rakyat. Bukan tak habis2 hunus keris dan berlakon wira Melayu.
Syabas KJ.
Leithaisor says
Well, just what on earth is the true Khairy Jamaluddin?
We have seen the pre-Pak-Lah-as-PM version, which had rather impressed me.
We have seen the Pak-Lah-as-PM-and father-in-law version, complete with angry-young-man at Ijok (featuring Gerak Gempur and intimidating thugs with black sunglasses and scorpion logos), and the “on behalf of Malaysians” wira-wannabe pushing against the secuirty cordon while shouting “Get out Condeleeza Rice” at KLCC. And his copy-cat keris-waving after Hishammuddin did his act. Also the antics of his assistants and campaign workers at Rembau during the run-up to the 2008 GE. Then there are the questions surrounding the ECM Libra-Avenue Capital merger.
All of which made me, and likely countless other Malaysians, simply disgusted with him.
After Pak Lah stepped down as PM, Khairy appeared to flounder, though he did win the Umno Youth chief post, but without the accompanying ministerial or deputy ministerial position which was the norm.
Now Khairy has been and still is trying to sell a born-again image.
Deep inside, I’d like to believe him in spite of all the grounds not to. He is, after all, one of the very few young men around with real potential to genuinely lead Malaysia forward.
But with his track record, he’d have to convince me he is really a new man. After all, he has already won and then lost my confidence before.
Lion says
Epiphany,
At that time sleeping beauty was still the PM. Khairy came to Penang, spoke to the Umno crowd, and the “tak nampak Melayu kecuali di Balik Pulau” was from his mouth.
Yes, Khairy’s own mouth.
M K Lam says
So far KJ blows with the wind for political expediency. Ask him about Perak/ about royalty/ about derhaka/ about democracy vis-a-vis the Perak fiasco & the Umno-populist racial stance. I remember he was raising his arms and feet championing whatever was deemed populist, to garner in-house support. But later [he] will pass a remark or two to gain favour with the rest of Malaysia. Too many tricks and Sichuan mask-changing!
Syed Abu Bakar says
Agree all the way we KJ views. We Malay [Malaysians] must be brave [enough] to change. KJ is the man to lead us into new areas that we thought not possible before.
As for me I’m supporting you all the way. Whether you’re in position or not, your views will always have my support.
PoliticoKat says
A leopard will never change its spots. Khairy Jamaluddin is an opportunistic politician with very big ambitions. He will say anything to anybody to gain support and to please the listener. Furthermore he will say one thing to one person and another thing to the next person. History has documented many such instances.
I will trust his only so far […]. He is an [Umno] man after all.
joe says
KJ is what UMNO youth needs at the moment; bravo. We want to hear more of you. You will be changing the mindset of the future Malay Malaysian population.
Main says
Let the words be a powering tool to move forward.
jane says
I think Khairy has learned from his mistakes. People would judge and punish him if he is not sincere. And I think he is smart enough to note that. I welcome this changed Khairy.
Ali says
It is interesting when one talks about track record. Let us ponder the track record of Anwar Ibrahim, for instance. So, do not use the track record argument just to say KJ is not to be believed. There is so much more that we need to look at, before we judge this boy. And I think he has plenty of time to show what he really is, and when the time comes, we, the people, will know who he really is. At the moment, just let the boy grow and show us that he may just be what we need.
arif omar says
Sudahlah. KJ ini dah tak laku gadai pun. Semua orang umno naik menyampah. Mungkin blog ini adalah talian hayat baru KJ selepas Malaysian Insider dah terbongkar siapa yang punya. Jadi pencacai KJ rupanya web ini. Meluat kami semua membacanya. Inilah salah satu faktor Umno kalah dan hilang sokongan. Faktor KJ. Tak percaya, buat research.
Alang says
“Gone are the years when he was dogged by rumours of scandal while his father-in-law, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, was prime minister.”
It’s something that people call “the curse point”. Every administration has a curse point that everybody attacks, be it a real issue or something that they fabricate. KJ was the curse point of Pak Lah’s era. The attacks could had been motivated by Pak Lah’s enemies within this party, by the opposition, by those who just wanted to [“follow the trend”], or by KJ’s enemies.
somethingStirring says
Never stopped being amazed at how we heap praises on politicians just because they occasionally say something sensible. Remember the euphoria surrounding Badawi even before he did anything? Same thing with Najib, where we conveniently forgot his links with Altantuya and the collapse of the Perak state government. And it’s only now that we realise the damage Mahathir did to this country.
Talk sweet is what politicians do lah. If we can give door-to-door sales[people] the boot, we should give the same to these politicians: just to kick some sense into their big heads.
I think it’s Woody Allen who said politicians have morals like child molesters. Granted, there are exceptions; but most are just that.
@epiphany, how on earth did you find out I’m an Anwar supporter?
Greg Lopez says
KJ’s views are indeed interesting. If he is honest, it will be a welcome change. Umno will need to find leaders to bring it back to the middle ground. KJ may just be that person.
feel says
I never liked him as a politician. But after several personal meetings with him (non-political), he seems to be a good guy after all. The latest was after the burning of Metro Tabernacle Church.