Taking a break from politics, prefer advisory role, says Xavier
SHAH ALAM - Former MP Xavier Jayakumar says he plans to take a break from politics and transition into an advisory role.
Jayakumar said he is retiring from politics after 35 years and has been holding positions in political party for 15 years, including serving as an exco of Selangor and a federal minister.
“Besides, I was also an exco of Selangor and a federal minister, so politics is in me.
“With my experience and knowledge about the political system definitely, I would like to play a role directly or indirectly in helping the Madani government," he told Sinar Daily.
Jayakumar won the Kuala Langat parliamentary seat on a PKR ticket in 2018, beating candidates from Umno and Pas by a 17,112-vote majority.
His first stint as an elected representative was as Seri Andalas assemblyman from 2008 to 2018.
After becoming an MP in 2018, he was appointed land, water, and natural resources minister in the PH government.
He said supporting the Madani government was crucial for the national welfare and well-being of the country, as it aligns with the necessary economic changes andthe lives of Malaysians.
“That’s the only way to go forward and I think the Madani government is on the right track in order to go about the economic changes and also the lives of the honorary, hence, I would go for the Madani government.
“I won’t be carrying any logo or entering any parties but would support any candidate who is with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) - Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition in my constituency," he said.
Xavier urged politicians to shift their focus away from race and religious politics and instead prioritise local issues and the needs of the people.
He said he would support any individual who prioritise Malaysia's progress and work towards necessary changes that will enhance the country.
In March 2021, a year after the PH government fell following the Sheraton Move, Jayakumar quit PKR and the PH coalition to become an independent MP supporting the Perikatan Nasional government that took over from PH.
His sudden departure from PKR led to speculation that he was trying to avoid possible prosecution following the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s probe on suspicion of accepting bribes for a project awarded to it by a ministry in 2019.
