Khairy can be next DPM if Najib steps down before GE14, says veteran journo

By admin-s Last updated Oct 13, 2014

(The Malaysian Insider) – Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has the potential to become the next deputy prime minister should Datuk Seri Najib Razak decide to step down before the 14th general election, a veteran journalist said today.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pictured) must be positioned in an important spot in order to become the next deputy prime minister, said Datuk A. Kadir Jasin. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, October 13, 2014.In his latest blog posting, Datuk A. Kadir Jasin said this could only happen if the prime minister post was held by his cousin Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who is also the defence minister.

“If it is fated that Najib has to step down before the next general elections and the current Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has no interest in the top post, then the PM post will go to Hishammuddin.

“In this situation, Khairy will have the potential to become his deputy,” he said.

Kadir said nothing was impossible in politics and that looking at the current political scenario and leadership, Umno would have to position Khairy in an important spot.

“Like it or not, at this very juncture, Khairy is the only one who stands out among the ranks of Umno’s young leaders. Unless we can find, in the near future, someone who is more charismatic, eloquent and intelligent,” he said in his blog post titled, “Leadership Issue: About Khairy Jamaluddin” today.

In the social media driven world, Khairy has all the makings of a leader.

“Everyone knows he sends his children to national school when many of Umno’s top men and even ministers discreetly send their children to elite private schools.

“He is also part of the territorial army regiment,” said Kadir.

Pointing out he is not Khairy’s supporter, Kadir said he made the conclusion based on his own observation of the minister’s political career and also the rise and fall of Umno Youth chiefs since 1969.

Kadir said after Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi stepped down as prime minister and Umno president following the lousy GE12 results, Khairy, who was one of the hated persons then, should have fallen through.

But instead of falling into political oblivion, he went on to win the Youth chief post, defeating Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo and Mukhriz Mahathir.

“Today, his position in Umno politics can be described as ‘unshakable’. As a youth leader and minister, Khairy is in a very strong position in the scheme of things.

“For that, he should be grateful to Najib. Admittedly, I was among those who wanted Khairy to be given a ministerial post when he won the Youth chief post,” said Kadir.

“I was hoping he gets the foreign minister post though,” said Kadir, adding that he felt Khairy’s current position – a combination of Youth chief post and cabinet minister – gave him too much power and clear advantage over the rest of the Umno leadership line-up.

“Whether Najib realises it or not, Khairy is now at the forefront of the Umno hierarchy. After the president, deputy president and three vice-presidents is Khairy.