Khairy Jamaluddin: Prime minister’s post still ‘lifetime ambition’, yet no longer the obsession it once was
Khairy Jamaluddin once considered not becoming Malaysia’s prime minister would make him a failure but being out of active politics since 2023 has changed his perspective. — Picture by Firdaus Latif
Monday, 11 May 2026 7:00 AM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — Khairy Jamaluddin still hopes to become Malaysia’s prime minister one day but stressed that he is no longer obsessed with holding the top post anymore.
Khairy, a three-time Cabinet minister and former Umno youth chief, said becoming Malaysia’s prime minister has always been his “lifelong ambition” and that he used to consider not fulfilling that dream would make him a failure in life.
Staying out of active politics for three years, however, has changed his perspective.
“It has been a lifetime ambition for me to be in a position of leadership in politics and being the prime minister is the best position, simply because you can do the most and help the most.
“I always felt that I would not be a success in life if I didn’t become the prime minister,” Khairy said in an exclusive interview with Malay Mail recently.
“Now, I feel that it is okay if I don’t become the prime minister.
“I will not see myself as a failure and I will still be enough as a person,” he added.
Khairy was expelled from Umno for allegedly breaching party discipline in January 2023.
His membership was reinstated last month under the Rumah Bangsa initiative, set up by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
While away from active politics, Khairy joined Hot FM as a radio presenter in February 2023, launched the Keluar Sekejap podcast with former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan in March, and took on several brand endorsements.
Describing the last three years as “commercially successful”, Khairy said he also spent more quality time with family and friends and led a less stressful life than when he was managing the Covid-19 pandemic as the health minister.
“If the opportunity knocks and if the rakyat will have me, it is still my lifetime ambition but it is not everything.
“I’m not here anymore to go quickly to the job,” he said.
If he does become Malaysia’s prime minister, Khairy said he wants to lead Malaysia to fulfil its true potential, even if that means taking political risks.
“In my view, Malaysia is a slightly under-performing student for reasons of its own making.
“If it gets over itself, there is nothing that can stop this country apart from physical limitations.
“We have to risk some political capital to re-punch our weight, which we are not doing now, but it can be done,” he said.
‘Too early to decide where to contest’
Speculation about Khairy’s election prospects has also surfaced since his return to Umno, including calls for him to be fielded in Kedah in the next general election.
Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor also welcomed Khairy to contest in the PAS-led state, saying that the northern state is “an open field that is free to everybody”.
Khairy, however, said it was too early for him to decide where he wants to contest.
“I don’t know well about Kedah’s dynamics although my mother is from Kedah, that is why this speculation started.
“In my view, the elections are at least a year away because I don’t think PMX will roll the dice in the present global circumstances.
“But I hope I have a little more runway compared to last time, when I was told only three days before nomination about contesting in Sungai Buloh,” he said.
Khairy, a three-term MP, was moved from his home turf in Rembau to Sungai Buloh in the 2022 general elections. He was narrowly defeated by Datuk Seri R. Ramanan from PKR by 2,693 votes.
Passing the ‘Keluar Sekejap’ baton to Shahril
Khairy’s homecoming to Umno also marks his exit from hosting the Keluar Sekejap podcast.
Khairy said he has been discussing business continuity plans with Shahril over the last few months, including possible collaborations with other digital media companies to sustain the podcast.
“It’s a shame if we pack things up after I leave. We have built a small footprint, which I think can grow.
“I told Shahril that the business is in his hands when I go. I will still be there to help from behind the scenes and still be part of the organisation.
“So, good luck to Shahril.”
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