MADANI backers could not agree better with Pakatan Harapan (PH) communications director Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil that Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ) may be trying a little too hard to revive his political career by playing the Malay-Muslim card to regain his political influence.
The former health minister was out of UMNO for a little over three years. He was sacked by his party on Jan 28, 2023 during which he co-hosted the Keluar Sekejap podcast prior to having been re-admitted in mid-April 2026.
The last straw was when the gifted orator claimed that the PH has totally neglected interest of the Malay-Muslim majority, a clear-cut insinuation that DAP is dictating terms or rather excelling as the dominant force in the ruling coalition when such is never the case.
As Fahmi who is also the Communications Minister ticked off KJ “for weaponing Malay and Islamic sentiments as political capital”, non-Malays who used to sympathise with KJ during his UMNO renegade days have begun to turn their backs on him.
“RM2.6 bil funds from the annual budget (for the Malaysian Islamic Development Department a.k.a. JAKIM) and 95% of civil servants are Muslims,” disputed transparency seeker Ir.Kumar (@skumar176) on X.
RM2.6 billion funds dr budget tahunan. 95% drp Staffs Kerajaan adalah org Islam. Hampir semua Post tertinggi dlm syarikat GLC adalah Orang Islam. Semua kontrak kerajaan wajib melalui Syarikat yg ada minima 30% Pengarah Bumiputera Islam. Udara, Darat, Laut pun Melayu @Khairykj pic.twitter.com/No3M2bbWy7
— Ir.Kumar (@skumar176) July 21, 2026
Editor’s Note: The Madani allocation of RM2.6 bil for Islamic affairs (manage and uphold Islamic institutions) under JAKIM in Budget 2026 has been touted as the highest allocation in history.
“Nearly all the highest positions in GLCs (government-linked companies) are held by Muslims. All government contracts must go through companies that have a minimum of 30% Muslim Bumiputera directors. In short, the Malays control air, land, sea.”
Over on the AM Daily Facebook past, many non-Malays are apparently missing KJ in his “radio host” capacity as opposed to that of a politician.
“When he became a podcast host, everything he said was logical but become dum-dum again when he rejoined UMNO-BN” mocked one commenter with another recounting he was “much friendlier and multi-racial as a radio host”.
Some old-timers likened the latest development as a “return to the 4th floor days which the new generation might not remember”.
Editor’s Note: The “4th floor” refers to a group of young policy advisors and aides tied to KJ during the tenure of fifth premier, the late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (2003 to 2009) who is also KJ’s father-in-law.
KJ led this influential team based on the fourth floor of the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya.
“When he was podcasting Keluar Sekejap, I was really fond of him and thought he has changed, even got potential,” lamented a commenter.
“But since returning (to UMNO), he totally becomes a different person or perhaps this has been always his true self? I wonder …”
Others laughed off that “still people can think he is PM material” while one commenter confessed that “I stopped listening to his Keluar Sekejap podcast a year plus ago when his views started to be more bias & politically skewed”.
“He’s likely preparing for his eventual political comeback while Shahril (co-host Shahril Hamdan) was trying to maintain a more balanced view. Just my two cents.”
One commenter stressed the need for politicians in a plural society like Malaysia to be “colour blind”.
“When one decides to divide the society for their benefit, then we can see what kind of leader they are. We need leader who embrace everyone regardless their colour, race and religions,” he philosophised.
Another jibed that has never looked up to KJ as possessing a genuine leadership quality since day one itself.
“Some even says PM quality but I never see him with any leadership quality since his early days … and I’m so right!”
·
One commenter summed up best that during election season, “some politicians become the true masters of camouflage”.
“Like chameleons, they change their colours, promises and personalities depending on the audience they’re facing. Once the votes are counted, the colours often disappear just as quickly,” he observed.
Added another: “There’re many such politicians especially those who kena suspended or sacked trying to make come back with changed principles and characters.” – July 24, 2026
