KJ praises Anwar for stabilising economy
However, the former health minister says ordinary Malaysians have yet to feel the benefits
Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin said younger voters want politicians who recognise concerns over living costs, identity, jobs, and economic mobility.
PETALING JAYA: Umno’s Khairy Jamaluddin says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has stabilised the economy and improved Malaysia’s standing with investors.
However, the former health minister also said that ordinary Malaysians had yet to feel the benefits, Bloomberg reported.
Malaysia’s economy grew 5.3% in the first quarter, outpacing Thailand and Singapore, while the ringgit extended its run as Asia’s best-performing currency against the dollar for the second year in a row.
“The man on the street is not feeling the macroeconomic numbers, the GDP growth, the lower unemployment, the stronger ringgit,” Khairy was quoted as saying.
The former Umno Youth chief also said that younger voters wanted politicians who recognised concerns over living costs, identity, jobs, and economic mobility.
He said he understood these sentiments as he was “within the arena of the people”.
“I’ve had three years of many, many conversations with Malaysians, whether through my podcast, through my radio gig,” he said.
Khairy was referring to the Keluar Sekejap podcast which he co-hosts with another former Umno leader, Shahril Hamdan, and his stint as a radio presenter at Hot FM.
According to Bloomberg, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is banking on Khairy’s return to Umno to woo young Malay voters who left the party following the 1MDB scandal.
Khairy was sacked in January 2023 following disciplinary action linked to the 15th general election.
The former Rembau MP was among over 6,000 former members who were readmitted to the party last month.
Commenting on his return to Umno, Khairy said Zahid was taking him back as he was.
“But of course, I will be mindful of party decorum and discipline,” he added.
Khairy was openly critical of Zahid in the lead-up to the last nationwide polls, especially after Barisan Nasional fielded him to contest the urban Pakatan Harapan stronghold of Sungai Buloh.
However, the former health minister also said that ordinary Malaysians had yet to feel the benefits, Bloomberg reported.
Malaysia’s economy grew 5.3% in the first quarter, outpacing Thailand and Singapore, while the ringgit extended its run as Asia’s best-performing currency against the dollar for the second year in a row.
“The man on the street is not feeling the macroeconomic numbers, the GDP growth, the lower unemployment, the stronger ringgit,” Khairy was quoted as saying.
The former Umno Youth chief also said that younger voters wanted politicians who recognised concerns over living costs, identity, jobs, and economic mobility.
He said he understood these sentiments as he was “within the arena of the people”.
“I’ve had three years of many, many conversations with Malaysians, whether through my podcast, through my radio gig,” he said.
Khairy was referring to the Keluar Sekejap podcast which he co-hosts with another former Umno leader, Shahril Hamdan, and his stint as a radio presenter at Hot FM.
According to Bloomberg, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is banking on Khairy’s return to Umno to woo young Malay voters who left the party following the 1MDB scandal.
Khairy was sacked in January 2023 following disciplinary action linked to the 15th general election.
The former Rembau MP was among over 6,000 former members who were readmitted to the party last month.
Commenting on his return to Umno, Khairy said Zahid was taking him back as he was.
“But of course, I will be mindful of party decorum and discipline,” he added.
Khairy was openly critical of Zahid in the lead-up to the last nationwide polls, especially after Barisan Nasional fielded him to contest the urban Pakatan Harapan stronghold of Sungai Buloh.
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