Youth and Sports Minister needs to be proactive, says KJ

SHAH ALAM - Former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin stressed that the role of a Youth and Sports Minister requires proactive leadership, not a 'taichi' approach.

Speaking on his Keluar Sekejap podcast, co-hosted with former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan, Khairy emphasised the need for a hands-on attitude in the position.

“To be an effective Youth and Sports Minister, you must be proactive.

"A Minister can’t just say, ‘This isn’t my appointment; it was chosen by someone else,’ or, ‘The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) was elected by all the sports associations, so I can’t do anything.’

"That won’t suffice because, as Minister, you have a responsibility," Khairy said.

Khairy, who served as Youth and Sports Minister previously, recalled his dealings with long-serving OCM President Tunku Tan Sri Imran, a significant figure in the global sports arena and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

He also pointed out that if a minister is timid or hesitant to challenge powerful figures within sports associations, they risk being taken advantage of.

“I was a (Youth and Sports) minister before, and I dealt with an Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) President who had been in the role for decades.

“Before Norza, it was Tunku Tan Sri Imran, who was not only the President of OCM, but also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He was a 'big beast', a significant figure in the world of sports.

“I read a statement by the current Minister, where she said, ‘I can only do what I can control.’

"That’s not enough because Malaysian sports involve many stakeholders,” Khairy added.

He added while organisations like the OCM and the Malaysian Paralympic Council operate independently, they still rely heavily on government funding, which the Ministry oversees.

Khairy also clarified that many sports associations under the OCM, such as football, badminton, and cycling, are led by influential figures, often former politicians or business leaders.

"If you’re not willing to confront them and assert your authority as Youth and Sports Minister, you won’t be able to drive meaningful change,” he said.

Previously, Yeoh faced criticism, particularly from former youth and sports deputy minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, for not being "hands-on" in her duties.

The Ministry has been under intense scrutiny since the start of the Paris 2024 Olympics due to various controversies.

Issues include poorly designed official attire for Malaysian Olympians, budget constraints, and the inability of key coaches to attend the Olympics due to accreditation shortages.

The situation escalated when national athletes like Lee Zii Jia had to self-fund support staff, while OCM President Tan Sri Norza Zakaria faced backlash for his family’s presence in Paris.

Public frustration over these incidents has increasingly been directed at Yeoh.