YOURSAY | 'Greatest gift is that of your own self-transformation.'

KJ chronicles: Revisiting his career and many hats

Jay Tan: Khairy Jamaluddin, son of a former diplomat and a graduate of Oxford University, has had so many opportunities to invest in the most valuable resources of the nation, the unborn and youth, but failed to seize the opportunity to do so for lack of vision and wisdom.

This wisdom is ignorant of the profound wisdom in the words of Lao Tzu, “Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a small single step.” The first two portions of the complete quotes are ignored but the last part is often quoted.

KJ failed to seize this opportunity to invest in the youths of this nation in his various positions from the fourth-floor boys in 2004 and Umno youth deputy chief in 2008, as member of Parliament for Rembau, then he became Umno youth chief.

From 2013-2018, he was the youth and sports minister, he was also a minister when the National Transformation 2050 (TN50), a plan for the future development of the nation was launched by previous prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

A man such as KJ could have inspired the youth to live a higher standard of intellectual life using his own personal example. Transformation of a nation’s collective intelligence takes time, it is a long journey of some 20 years to see any tangible result.

A politician such as KJ should think of the next generation and not just the next election. If he has what it takes to be a statesman.

After the Sheraton Move, KJ became minister of science, technology, and innovation. What meaningful and innovative things he has done during his term as a minister holding such a portfolio?

KJ failed to sow positivity when he was in power in various positions. How will KJ be remembered long after he is gone? KJ as a transformist? If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself.

If you want to eliminate suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is negative in yourself, truly, the greatest gift you must give is that of your own self-transformation.

OrangeJaguar9341: I don't doubt Khairy's competence and even calibre. It's his character that gives one pause.

Let us not forget that Khairy's ultra-Malay stance came to light again in 2018 when then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad talked about the ratification of Icerd (International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination).

Khairy raised the issue that ratifying Icerd would affect Article 153 of the Federal Constitution on the special position of Malays.

Even when experts pointed out his fallacy, explaining that ratification is non-binding and will not affect the Federal Constitution, he continued to twist facts to manipulate Malay sentiment and emerge as the heroic protector of Malay rights. Clearly, the Oxford MP knew exactly what he was doing.

A moderate centrist? Really? Only when it suits his agenda.

MS: This entire piece reads like a description of a ‘chameleon’ and his ability to be all things to all people. My question is, can the country afford to have this and attain any semblance of stability?

As it is, the country is reeling under the regime of the man who has ditched Reformasi for Madani to further his own agenda - which, if the emerging issues from the SMK Infant Jesus Convent Johor Bahru segregationist shindig to the latest one in the Kajang police station are anything to go by, point to the creeping Islamisation of the country in a bid to outperform the other “party of God”.

If Khairy is added to the mix, the country will be in for a thrilling roller coaster ride into oblivion with each chameleon outdoing the other to pander to the theocratic and bigoted cravings of the lowest common denominator which forms the base.

Just a Malaysian: KJ may just be another opportunist politician playing roles to suit different political scenarios. But he has one advantage, the ability to think and rationalise and change. More than what the many Umno warlords are capable of.

His rightist past may hurt many non-Malays but may serve to assuage the Malay masses he will protect their interest. We do not have fresh-born reformists but may have to do with reborn reformists. KJ is not an angel, but he may be the best we have in reforming Umno.

If Umno disappears, the Malay masses’ only focus will be on PAS and Perikatan Nasional, which is our first step downhill.

Determined Sarawakian: As a person trained at Oxford, he has that undeniable quality of resolution and persistence.

His ambition is manifested by his desire to climb and be the next prime minister, because that's his resolve. As a Western-educated political philosopher, he could be the next Lee Kuan Yew, if he wasn't dethroned from Rembau and Umno.

KJ has foresight and vision, which many in this nation lack. This is a reason why many conservatives and business-as-usual-minded people are afraid of his ambitions.

Milshah: Many are bashing KJ when he is down. If KJ is reading this, don't take heart on the criticisms. It’s a cruel world we live in, even hypocritical. When we are down, they bash you further. People now look at power, money, and status.

Look at Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. I'm sure KJ is 1,000 times better than Zahid. But you see people bashing Zahid? No. Why? Because he is the deputy prime minister, president of a party in the government, and the kingmaker. But is he good? Just bring up the green wave and people will say he is good by comparison.

So KJ, in this phase of your political career, which is the bottom, you need to be strong. If you want to be PM, focus on that. When you are PM, I can guarantee you, they will sing praises of you.

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