FORMER Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Dr Idris Jala, 67, has been diagnosed with stage three lung cancer after the disease was detected through a health check-up following a prolonged cough.
In a revelation on the Game of Impossible audio broadcast with his son, Leon Jala, Idris said that he underwent a routine medical check-up before learning about the disease.
He also announced that he would step down from hosting the audio broadcast and that the responsibility would be taken over by Leon.
Idris was previously known as a corporate turnaround figure after achieving great success while leading Malaysia Airlines (MAS) as Chief Executive Officer from 2005 to 2009.
He successfully helped MAS turn from a loss of RM1.3 billion in 2005 to a profit of RM852 million two years later.
In 2009, Idris was appointed as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and headed the Performance Management and Implementation Unit (PEMANDU) until 2015 to spearhead the National Transformation Programme.
He became the first Orang Ulu to be appointed as a federal minister.
In 2014, Bloomberg listed Idris among the 10 most influential policymakers in the world.
He is currently the president and chairman of the private consulting firm, Pemandu Associates Sdn Bhd. – July 24, 2026
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