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Borneo Post
7 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
KJ's redefinition of leadership
At the same park, I took these two pictures. Just minutes after I snapped that photo of the tree aglow (left), I turned back — and the golden light was gone. It reminded me how leadership, like sunlight, is never permanent. But its warmth, when it lands, is unforgettable. What a perfect metaphor for leadership and legacy: fleeting moments of light, quiet impact, and how quickly the spotlight can shift or disappear altogether. I HAD a delightful walk in my neighbourhood park last Saturday morning. Usually my regular walks are to the beat of the songs of my youth, but recently, I had switched from listening to music to listening to podcasts. On this particular day, my 'companions' were Khairy Jamaluddin or 'KJ', Datuk Seri Idris Jala and his son Leon Jala, who kept me entertained thoroughly for an hour with their engaging, insightful and enlightening conversations. When asked about the kind of legacy he hoped to leave behind, KJ didn't mention the ministries that he had led, the policies that he had formulated, or the elections that he had won or lost. Instead, speaking on Idris and Leon's podcast, 'The Game of Impossible', he gave an answer that I felt was so downplayed, it was downright surprising. 'I just want that when someone Googles me, the word that comes up is 'helpful'.' Yes, for the average listener listening in the background, it is a sort of answer that can easily slip past you. But for those of us who have long been following Malaysia's colourful political arena, it was the kind of answer that would probably make you fall out of your chair. Thankfully for me, I was not seated at the time, nor did I take a stumble during my walk. The answer, which didn't sound like it came from a typical politician at all, lingered on in my mind. I paused and slowed down my pace, ruminating on the nuances of his answer and eventually coming to a conclusion that his simple and short answer probably said more about leadership than a full-page broadsheet interview of a self-aspiring politician would. This was coming from a man who once stood at the height of Malaysian politics – a former Minister of Youth and Sports; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation; and even Minister of Health. For KJ, an Oxford educated blue-blood political elite and son-in-law to a former prime minister, one might expect a grand proclamation, something like 'reformer' or 'visionary'. Instead, he gave us one word – 'helpful'. That word hits differently in our current political climate, where ego and relentless self-branding often seem like the tools of the trade. Politicians name bridges and roads after themselves, and chase publicity in the media like oxygen. Yet here is KJ, a man whose career has seen both high and low, stripping leadership down to its core function by declaring that he aspires to just being useful to others. In fact, at the start of the podcast, KJ said he became a politician not because of his upbringing, but rather due to his belief that politics was important to the world. 'Politics more than anything else is about trying to organise the society in a way that is fair,' said KJ. I could not remember KJ being particularly 'fair' during his time in power. But what had impressed me most was how he led during the Covid-19 crisis as a coordinating minister for the National Covid-19 immunisation programme and later on, as the Minister of Health. His policies at the time were measured, composed and effective. Perhaps it's because he's now 'keluar' (out) from the political arena and acting as an independent podcaster and commentator that he can speak with this level of detachment and honesty. Or perhaps, the extra quality time that he has spent with his children and family these years has changed his perspective on things. Or even perhaps age and experience have taught him what few leaders admit: that power is fleeting, but impact is permanent. That being admired is easy, but being remembered kindly is rare. KJ's wish isn't about being famous. It's about being of service. That's a striking departure from the usual definitions of legacy that we hear, not only from politicians but also from corporate leaders, influencers, and public figures everywhere. It echoes something deeper – a hunger for relevance that's rooted in doing, not appearing. Let's be honest. In Malaysian public life, titles still hold sway. The Datukship, the Tan Sri-ship, the ceremonial positions – these are still sought-after badges of honour. We all fall into it sometimes. We want our work to mean something. 'Helpful' isn't a word that gets carved on a monument, but it is a word that people use when you've shown up for them, when you've answered a call, opened a door, or just made their load lighter. And in the end, isn't that the more honest legacy? There's something else about that podcast that struck me: the dynamic between Idris, Leon, and KJ. It wasn't just a talk show – it was a conversation between generations. Idris, the corporate and public service veteran; Leon, the son and new-generation voice; and KJ, the former golden boy; reflecting on what leadership really meant. What emerged was not just personal reflection, but a map of how leadership must evolve: less about command, more about connection. I've spent a lifetime in the media, often seeing the rise and fall of leaders. Some came in with trumpets, some left with sirens; others just faded quietly. But the ones I remember best? The ones who called back; who treated junior reporters with respect; who gave more than they took. They weren't always the smartest in the room, but they were the most helpful. They made the job, and the journey, easier for others. And that, to me, is legacy. But perhaps the real leaders of tomorrow are those who, like KJ, realise that lasting impact doesn't need a spotlight – it just needs a human touch. Of course, one might ask – has he been helpful enough? For me, I believe the jury's still out, but at least he's asking the right question and in politics, that's rare. Perhaps KJ hasn't been 'helpful enough' – not in the way he now values, but the beauty of that statement is that it suggests he's still trying. It's the humility of a man in progress. So here's to the 'helpful' ones. May their legacy grow in the grateful words of those whom they quietly helped along the way. Khairy Jamaluddin KJ leadership podcast
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Ex-minister Idris Jala proposes council to give Sarawak, Sabah oil royalties based on agreed threshold
Screenshot shows Idris and Leon discussing a point during the podcast. KUCHING (May 26): A council on oil royalty should be created involving the Prime Minister, Premier of Sarawak, Chief Minister of Sabah, and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), said Datuk Seri Idris Jala. The former senator and federal minister explained that such a council, to be chaired by the Prime Minister, would ensure Petronas continues to operate while both Sarawak and Sabah get fairer oil royalties. 'What do they do? Once a year, Petronas should submit their full Opex requirement, that operating expenditure for the year. And they will say, this is what is need to do for capital investment, for CapEx (capital expenditure). And of course, both Sabah and Sarawak will examine the details, whether they have padded it, what is really necessary, and unnecessary. 'So once that is done, then you agree the numbers there, that is then called the Petronas threshold, in my view. That is what needed to be given to Petronas to make sure it has the money enough to operate and money enough to invest for expansion. 'You take that aside and make sure Petronas has got that from the profit it has made. Then the question arises, is there still enough money to give to Sabah and Sarawak to honour the 20 per cent oil royalty? So, at a very high oil price, surely there's enough money to do it. 'At a low oil price, then it (the royalty) is less. It could be they only get 10 per cent at a very low oil price, and a high oil price to get the maximum 20 per cent. It depends,' he proposed. Idris, who is also a former Shell executive and Malaysia LNG Sdn Bhd (MLNG) board member, said this in the latest 'The Game of Impossible' podcast episode titled 'What's the Deal with Petros and Petronas?', which he co-hosts with his son Leon. Idris opined this mechanism will be fair and square for Sarawak and Sabah. 'Nobody in Sabah and Sarawak would want Petronas to die. And I know that for certain, because I've spoken to some of the leaders there in conversation. Of course, everybody in Sabah and Sarawak wants the federation to thrive. 'Nobody in Sabah and Sarawak wants the federation to collapse. We're part of the federation. We all want the federation, the whole of Malaysia to succeed. That is why they are not arguing for 100 percent of the oil revenue belonging to them, because they want to be part of the federation,' he said. He also explained that such a mechanism is not new in Malaysia, as there is already an automatic price mechanism in the downstream oil and gas sector in Malaysia whereby oil companies annually submit the costs required to run downstream operations. Regarding Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros), he said Petros was created not to take over the role of Petronas but instead it is taking its role as the aggregator or internal trader. As such, he said the narrative that the creation of Petros is going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg that is Petronas, is completely fallacious. 'So, which means Petronas will continue its role today in the upstream as the custodian of oil and gas upstream, no change. 'It also continues its role as a regulator for oil and gas upstream, no change. It also is the gifter of production sharing contracts in the upstream, no change. Not only is that, it is also an upstream player, also no change. 'None of that changes. So, the only thing that Petros is doing is take the role of the trader or the aggregator for the optimisation. So, to my mind, there is no way this is going to kill the golden,' he said. Idris also suggested the goods and services tax (GST) be reintroduced to reduce Malaysia's dependence on Petronas for government revenue. Idris Jala lead oil royalty council Petronas Petros
