JOHOR BARU – Former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin has been appointed as Johor youth adviser and also to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) Football Club’s board of directors.
Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said today that he had held a meeting with Khairy and agreed to appoint the former youth and sports minister to the two posts.
“His vast experience in various fields in the country will provide added value to the development of youth and the progress of football in Johor,” the Johor royal wrote in a post on his Facebook page today.
On January 28, Tunku Ismail, who owns JDT, had hinted at the possibility of offering the posts of the football club’s chief executive and state youth adviser to the politician recently sacked from Umno.
Meanwhile, Khairy, through a post on his Facebook page, thanked Tunku Ismail for appointing him, adding that he was thrilled to join JDT, the biggest club in Southeast Asia which has performed well in every season.
“I will use whatever little experience I have to assist TMJ (Tunku Ismail) in his vision to make JDT the top football club in Asia.
“In addition, I will also help realise TMJ’s desire to empower the youth of Bangsa Johor through education, training, entrepreneurship, welfare, and providing appropriate protection for teenagers and children,” he said.
Khairy said he would repay the trust put in him and strive relentlessly for the continued excellence of JDT and the empowerment of youth in Johor.
State Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives, and Human Resources Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said Khairy’s appointment was the right move based on the latter’s experience from when he served as youth and sports minister from 2013 to 2018.
“I welcome Khairy’s appointment and hope to cooperate with him to ensure the success of the youth development agenda, especially in Johor, can be achieved more effectively.
“I also hope that Khairy, equipped with his experience and capability, can provide new and more dynamic ideas to Johor youth as well as for the development of Johor football,” he said.
Hairi also called on the youth in Johor to continue giving their support to enable Khairy to carry out his duties and responsibilities to the best of his ability. – Bernama, February 15, 2023