RPK, like KJ, is larger than life
Raja Petra, like Khairy Jamaluddin, has become larger than life. It’s the idea of Khairy Jamaluddin that you like to hate, and it’s the idea of Raja Petra that you actually like to like. We are creatures of, not our own creation, but we are similar creatures, you don’t really know us. – Khairy Jamaluddin
Khairy Jamaluddin has been everyone’s favourite punching bag since he burst into the political scene five years ago. He was the target of countless allegations – among them was his involvement in investment bank ECM-Libra.
One of his chief detractors was none other than controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin – whom he has never met.
“Raja Petra, like Khairy Jamaluddin,” said the Oxford graduate, “Has become larger than life.”
“It’s the idea of Khairy Jamaluddin that you like to hate and it’s the idea of Raja Petra that you like to like,” he told Malaysiakini during a 90-minute interview last week.
In this third of a five-part series, the premier son-in-law sought to answer some of the allegations which have been levelled against him – his attempt to join top government-linked company Khazanah Holdings, his interest in being part of the cabinet, and that he takes a cut from the petrol rebate.
Malaysiakini: There were talks that you were involved in the Johor corridor, that you’re actually the link person for the Singapore government, and there were also complaints that you sold off a lot of land in Johor to Singaporeans...
Khairy: I think you got me confused with someone else, I won’t say his name. No, I mean, you know I’ve stayed away from business administration after the last elections and I have nothing to do with the Johor (economic) corridor, but I’m a supporter from far.
I don’t have any personal interest, directly and indirectly, whether it’s with me or with my family… and you know, the thing is, in this day and age where politicians are scrutinised and stripped naked regularly, with evidence. I take comfort in the fact that after all the allegations against me in the last four, five years, there hasn’t been a single sheet of paper to say ‘this is the proof against this guy’, when careers were brought down just because of pictures in a mobile phone.
