Khairy Jamaluddin
Encyclopedia
Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar (born 10 January 1976) is a Malaysian politician
, and the son-in-law of former Malaysian Prime Minister
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
. Since 2008, Khairy has been a member of the Malaysian Parliament
representing the constituency of Rembau
. He is also the Chairman of Barisan Nasional
Youth (the youth organisation of Malaysia's governing coalition), and the Head of the youth wing of the UMNO political party. At UMNO's grassroots level, he holds the post of Youth Chief in the Rembau division, and also heads the UMNO branch in Gadong (the birthplace of his father).
Khairy was born in Kuwait City
, Kuwait
. He had his secondary education at the United World College of South East Asia
in Singapore
, and his university education at Oxford University
and University College London
(UCL) in the United Kingdom
. While at Oxford, he studied at St Hugh's College
, and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). In 1998, he completed his Master's degree in Legal and Political Theory at UCL.
After leaving university, Khairy worked as a journalist for a period. He served as a presenter on the talkshow Dateline Malaysia. He also had a stint working for The Economist
in 1999. Thereafter, Khairy became a Special Officer in the office of Abdullah Badawi, who was then the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. He was Abdullah's Deputy Principal Private Secretary from 2003-04.
In October 2001, Khairy married Abdullah's daughter Nori Abdullah. The couple have two sons, Jibreil Ali Jamaluddin Abu Bakar and Timur Abdullah Jamaluddin Abu Bakar.
, and abolish the annual Home Ministry licensing requirement, through the creation of an independent body which will enforce a self-regulatory mechanism of the system similar to the United Kingdom’s Press Complaints Commission
.
blocked access to the popular site, Malaysia Today. Khairy spoke against the move, citing that the move was a “blatant and crude employment of state power” and “is inconsistent with the widening roads of democratic highways.”
Khairy also said that such move will only eliminate young urban voters voting from the ruling party, and is at odds with the Multimedia Super Corridor Bill of Guarantees – a 10-point Bill that prescribes zero Internet censorship.”
, and called for greater enforcement of the NEP. In response to concerns over the racial rhetoric, Vice President Muhyiddin Yassin
said that "Although some sides were a bit extreme [this year], it is quite normal to voice feelings during the assembly."
Khairy Jamaluddin, who was then the deputy chief of the youth wing, insisted that "while there is nothing extraordinary about this year’s congress and that similar sentiments have been raised in the past, these feelings have never compromised the ultimate manifestation of governance in this country through BN’s power-sharing formula."
. However Lim told him not to ask any Member of Parliament (MP) to debate unless he himself became an MP. Khairy declined and later argued that he had meant to ask Lim to debate the matter in Parliament, and did not challenge him to a debate.
as an undue influence. On this allegation, Khairy replied that "I am a pretty easy scapegoat. [But] the decisions Dr. Mahathir is unhappy with are entirely made by the Prime Minister and the cabinet."
He further said that “A weak Umno would lead to various parties making demands and this could affect unity in the Barisan”, and referred to the issues raised by the Chinese election watch group Su Qiu in the 1999 elections by saying that “Umno was weak at that time and people took advantage of that.”
in Kuala sungai, Khairy, together with members of the ruling UMNO party and some members of the Malaysian Islamist party PAS, led a demonstration to the venue of the meeting where he handed over a memo to demand Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon and the suspension of the military operation there.
In 2006, Khairy teamed-up with radio DJ Jason Lo
(who he attended high school with in Singapore) to produce the reality TV
show MyTeam. The show, which was televised on TV3
, brought together a squad of unknown football players selected at trials held around Malaysia to form a team to take on the Malaysian national football team
in an pink-slip match. The event drew much publicity, and MyTeam put up a creditable performance in losing 2-1 against the national side. MyTeam were invited to enter the Malaysian Premier League
in 2007. The team merged with an existing club, Perak UPB FC, to form UPB-MyTeam FC
, at which Khairy became the President and Lo the Deputy President. After finishing runners-up in the Premier League in 2007, the club was promoted to the Malaysian Super League
for the 2008 season. A second season of the show, MyTeam2, was broadcast in 2007 (MyTeam2 took on the Indonesian national football team
, losing 2-0).
On September 9, 2007, Khairy was chosen uncontested as the Vice President
of the Football Association of Malaysia
(FAM) during the 44th FAM Congress, to serve from 2007 to 2010, replacing Tengku Mahkota Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
or the Territorial Army as a reservist after completing one month of training in Negeri Sembilan and Johor in May 2010. He then completed a five-week basic static parachuting course conducted by the army's Special Warfare Centre with 78 others in February 2011. The group marked the occasion by parachuting from an aircraft at a height of 1,000 mm to a drop zone in Padang Senai, Kuala Nerang, Kedah, where Khairy received his "wings".
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, and the son-in-law of former Malaysian Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Malaysia
The Prime Minister of Malaysia is the indirectly elected head of government of Malaysia. He is officially appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the head of state, who in HM's judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House of Representatives , the...
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi is a Malaysian politician who served as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2009. He was also the President of the United Malays National Organisation , the largest political party in Malaysia, and led the governing Barisan Nasional parliamentary coalition...
. Since 2008, Khairy has been a member of the Malaysian Parliament
Parliament of Malaysia
The Parliament of Malaysia is the national legislature of Malaysia, based on the Westminster system. The bicameral parliament consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The King as the Head of State is the third component of Parliament....
representing the constituency of Rembau
Rembau
Rembau is a town within a district that shares the same name that is located in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. With a population of 40,000 people the district is a stronghold of the matrilineal system known as adat perpatih, a customary practice inherited from the Minangkabaus, of...
. He is also the Chairman of Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
Youth (the youth organisation of Malaysia's governing coalition), and the Head of the youth wing of the UMNO political party. At UMNO's grassroots level, he holds the post of Youth Chief in the Rembau division, and also heads the UMNO branch in Gadong (the birthplace of his father).
Personal background
Khairy is the only son of former diplomat Dato' Jamaluddin Abu Bakar and Dato' Rahmah Abdul Hamid. Khairy's late father, Datuk Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, was a senior official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, retiring as the Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Dato' Jamaluddin died of throat cancer. Khairy's mother, Dato' Rahmah Abdul Hamid, has been heavily involved in volunteer work throughout her life. Khairy's grandfather, Penghulu Abu Bakar, was a community leader in Kota, Rembau.Khairy was born in Kuwait City
Kuwait City
-Suburbs:Although the districts below are not usually recognized as suburbs, the following is a list of a few areas surrounding Kuwait city:Al-Salam ""السلام"" -Economy:...
, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
. He had his secondary education at the United World College of South East Asia
United World College of South East Asia
The United World College of South East Asia is an independent, international school in Singapore. The school's main campus is in Dover Road. A second campus was opened in 2008 in Ang Mo Kio...
in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, and his university education at Oxford University
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
and University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
(UCL) in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. While at Oxford, he studied at St Hugh's College
St Hugh's College, Oxford
St Hugh's College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford. It is located on a fourteen and a half acre site on St Margaret's Road, to the North of the city centre. It was founded in 1886 as a women's college, and accepted its first male students in its centenary year in 1986...
, and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). In 1998, he completed his Master's degree in Legal and Political Theory at UCL.
After leaving university, Khairy worked as a journalist for a period. He served as a presenter on the talkshow Dateline Malaysia. He also had a stint working for The Economist
The Economist
The Economist is an English-language weekly news and international affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd. and edited in offices in the City of Westminster, London, England. Continuous publication began under founder James Wilson in September 1843...
in 1999. Thereafter, Khairy became a Special Officer in the office of Abdullah Badawi, who was then the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. He was Abdullah's Deputy Principal Private Secretary from 2003-04.
In October 2001, Khairy married Abdullah's daughter Nori Abdullah. The couple have two sons, Jibreil Ali Jamaluddin Abu Bakar and Timur Abdullah Jamaluddin Abu Bakar.
Journalistic Independence and the Printing Presses and Publications Act
Khairy believes that Malaysia should and could repeal the Printing Presses and Publications ActPrinting Presses and Publications Act
The Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 is a Malaysian statute governing publishing and the usage of printing presses in Malaysia. It replaced the Printing Presses Act 1948 and the Control of Imported Publications Act 1958...
, and abolish the annual Home Ministry licensing requirement, through the creation of an independent body which will enforce a self-regulatory mechanism of the system similar to the United Kingdom’s Press Complaints Commission
Press Complaints Commission
The Press Complaints Commission is a voluntary regulatory body for British printed newspapers and magazines, consisting of representatives of the major publishers. The PCC is funded by the annual levy it charges newspapers and magazines...
.
Internet Censorship
In August 2008, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia CommissionMalaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission or Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia is the regulator for the converging communications and multimedia industry in Malaysia...
blocked access to the popular site, Malaysia Today. Khairy spoke against the move, citing that the move was a “blatant and crude employment of state power” and “is inconsistent with the widening roads of democratic highways.”
Khairy also said that such move will only eliminate young urban voters voting from the ruling party, and is at odds with the Multimedia Super Corridor Bill of Guarantees – a 10-point Bill that prescribes zero Internet censorship.”
Teaching of Maths and Science in English
Following concerns about the declining command of the English language among students, the Malaysian Ministry of Education implemented a policy whereby Science and Mathematics would be taught in English in Malaysian Government schools. The policy was implemented from January 2003. In September 2008, Khairy called for the reversal of the policy, citing that the policy had failed and only caused burden to students.2006 UMNO General Assembly
The 2006 UMNO Annual General Assembly was noted for controversial statements made by several delegates, such as Hashim Subodoh, who asked Hishammuddin when he would "use" the keris; Hishammuddin had again brandished the keris at the assembly that year. The assembly was the first to have its entire proceedings televised in full. Several delegates raised the issue of the Malay AgendaMalay Agenda
The Malay Agenda is a concept in Malaysian politics related to the ideal of ketuanan Melayu . Although it did not feature in public discussion for much of the 20th century, in the early 2000s, it came to prominence due to its usage in the discourse of several politicians from the United Malays...
, and called for greater enforcement of the NEP. In response to concerns over the racial rhetoric, Vice President Muhyiddin Yassin
Muhyiddin Yassin
Tan Sri Muhyiddin bin Yassin is a Malaysian politician and the current Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Education. He is also the Deputy President of the United Malays National Organisation , the main component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.Muhyiddin grew up in the state...
said that "Although some sides were a bit extreme [this year], it is quite normal to voice feelings during the assembly."
Khairy Jamaluddin, who was then the deputy chief of the youth wing, insisted that "while there is nothing extraordinary about this year’s congress and that similar sentiments have been raised in the past, these feelings have never compromised the ultimate manifestation of governance in this country through BN’s power-sharing formula."
Debate challenge to an opposition leader
In September 2005, Khairy challenged Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang to a debate in ParliamentParliament of Malaysia
The Parliament of Malaysia is the national legislature of Malaysia, based on the Westminster system. The bicameral parliament consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The King as the Head of State is the third component of Parliament....
. However Lim told him not to ask any Member of Parliament (MP) to debate unless he himself became an MP. Khairy declined and later argued that he had meant to ask Lim to debate the matter in Parliament, and did not challenge him to a debate.
ECM Libra
Around late 2005, Khairy was involved in a merger between ECM Libra Capital Bhd and the government-linked Avenue Capital Resources Bhd, which resulted in the creation of ECM Libra Avenue Bhd. The matter was taken up by the Malaysian Parliament's Public Accounts Committee, as according to the Committee's chairman Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, “We want to know how the decision making process was done because it involves two well-known personalities, Datuk Kalimullah Hassan and Khairy Jamaluddin.” On August 10, 2006, the committee concluded that the merger was done according to procedure. On August 11, Shahrir Abdul Samad said: “In terms of legality – the role of the regulator in assessing the value of the companies and mergers, processing the undertaking of mergers and (protecting) interests of minority shareholders – all have been adhered to,” On 12 August 2006, Khairy sold his entire holdings in the company.Allegation of undue influence by former Malaysian Prime Minister
Khairy was perceived as too close to the halls of power under Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, and has been singled out by former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun MahathirMahathir bin Mohamad
Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad . is a Malaysian politician who was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia. He held the post for 22 years from 1981 to 2003, making him Malaysia's longest serving Prime Minister. His political career spanned almost 40 years.Born and raised in Alor Setar, Kedah, Mahathir...
as an undue influence. On this allegation, Khairy replied that "I am a pretty easy scapegoat. [But] the decisions Dr. Mahathir is unhappy with are entirely made by the Prime Minister and the cabinet."
Statement about non-Malays
In August 2006, The Star reported that a Indo-Chinese daily quoted several leaders criticising Khairy for allegedly saying that non-Malays would take advantage of a weak Umno to make demands. To this Khairy said that “Leaders from the other parties may have misinterpreted my statement.”He further said that “A weak Umno would lead to various parties making demands and this could affect unity in the Barisan”, and referred to the issues raised by the Chinese election watch group Su Qiu in the 1999 elections by saying that “Umno was weak at that time and people took advantage of that.”
Leading of protest
In 2006, during a visit by US Secretary of State Condoleezza RiceCondoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States Secretary of State, and was the second person to hold that office in the administration of President George W. Bush...
in Kuala sungai, Khairy, together with members of the ruling UMNO party and some members of the Malaysian Islamist party PAS, led a demonstration to the venue of the meeting where he handed over a memo to demand Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon and the suspension of the military operation there.
Participation in football
Khairy holds a number of high profile positions in the Malaysian football scene, and is involved in a number of football-related associations.In 2006, Khairy teamed-up with radio DJ Jason Lo
Jason Lo
Jason Lo Sei Hoi is a Malaysian music artist, music producer, DJ and entrepreneur. He is sometimes known by the nicknames "LO" and "J Lo".-Early life:...
(who he attended high school with in Singapore) to produce the reality TV
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
show MyTeam. The show, which was televised on TV3
TV3 (Malaysia)
Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad or TV3 began broadcasting on 1 June 1984 as Malaysia’s first commercial television station. It is part of Media Prima Berhad group of companies. It now transmits opened broadcasting business private 24-hours a day, 7 days a week since 1 January 2010...
, brought together a squad of unknown football players selected at trials held around Malaysia to form a team to take on the Malaysian national football team
Malaysia national football team
The Malaysian national football team nicknamed Harimau Malaya, as the Malayan Tiger, is the national team of Malaysia and is controlled by the Football Association of Malaysia...
in an pink-slip match. The event drew much publicity, and MyTeam put up a creditable performance in losing 2-1 against the national side. MyTeam were invited to enter the Malaysian Premier League
Malaysian Premier League
Malaysia Premier League is the second-tier football league in Malaysia. The league is currently named Astro Premier League Malaysia...
in 2007. The team merged with an existing club, Perak UPB FC, to form UPB-MyTeam FC
UPB-MyTeam FC
For information about the reality TV series, see MyTeam .UPB MyTeam Football Club is a defunct Malaysian soccer club which formerly competed in the top tier of Malaysian football, the Malaysia Super League...
, at which Khairy became the President and Lo the Deputy President. After finishing runners-up in the Premier League in 2007, the club was promoted to the Malaysian Super League
Malaysian Super League
The Malaysia Super League is a Malaysian professional league for association football. At the top flight of the Malaysian football league system and it is managed by the Malaysia Super League Sdn Bhd, under supervision of the Football Association of Malaysia...
for the 2008 season. A second season of the show, MyTeam2, was broadcast in 2007 (MyTeam2 took on the Indonesian national football team
Indonesia national football team
The Indonesia national football team represents Indonesia in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Indonesia . Prior to independence in 1945, the team competed as the Dutch East Indies national football team. Under this name, Indonesia was the first Asian team to...
, losing 2-0).
On September 9, 2007, Khairy was chosen uncontested as the Vice President
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
of the Football Association of Malaysia
Football Association of Malaysia
The Football Association of Malaysia is the governing body for football in Malaysia, responsible for organising the Malaysian national football team and the major football and futsal tournaments within the country. The Football Association of Malaysia main headquarters is located at Wisma...
(FAM) during the 44th FAM Congress, to serve from 2007 to 2010, replacing Tengku Mahkota Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Involvement in the Army
Khairy joined the Rejimen Askar WataniahRejimen Askar Wataniah
The Rejimen Askar Wataniah is the military reserve force of the Malaysian Army. An equivalent formation in the British Army would be the Territorial Army....
or the Territorial Army as a reservist after completing one month of training in Negeri Sembilan and Johor in May 2010. He then completed a five-week basic static parachuting course conducted by the army's Special Warfare Centre with 78 others in February 2011. The group marked the occasion by parachuting from an aircraft at a height of 1,000 mm to a drop zone in Padang Senai, Kuala Nerang, Kedah, where Khairy received his "wings".