Welcome aboard: Khairy Jamaluddin (left) posing with Johor Crown Prince and JDT owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
KUALA LUMPUR: Khairy Jamaluddin will do his utmost best to help make Johor Darul Ta’zim a prominent football club in Asia.
This is his promise to Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim who has appointed the former Cabinet Minister to become the Johor youth advisor as well as to the JDT board of directors.
Tunku Ismail announced Khairy’s new position on social media yesterday, saying his presence will add value to the club.
“I have met with Khairy and agreed to appoint him as Johor youth adviser and into the JDT board of directors,” said Tunku Ismail, who is the owner of JDT.
“His experience in various fields in the country will be valuable in youth development and football progress in Johor.’’
Khairy has vast experience in football and sports, having served as Youth and Sports Minister between 2013 and 2018 as well as the vice-president of the Football Association of Malaysia (2007 to 2010).
Khairy also served as Health Minister from 2021 to 2022 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The former Umno Youth chief was recently sacked by Umno for breach of party discipline.
The 47-year-old Khairy, who narrowly lost in his bid for the Sungai Buloh parliamentary seat, also commented on his new position.
“God willing, I will repay this trust with earnest efforts for the continued excellence of JDT and the empowerment of the youth of Johor.
“I am very excited to join the JDT club, who are the biggest football club in South-East Asia and have been showing excellent performance in every match season.
“I will use some of the experience I have to help achieve His Majesty’s vision to make JDT the most superior football club in the Asian continent.
“In addition, I will also help to realise the wishes of Tunku Ismail in empowering the youth of Johor through education, training, entrepreneurship, welfare and also providing appropriate protection to teenagers and children.”
JDT swept all four trophies at stake in the Malaysian football league last year – Charity Shield, Super League, FA Cup and Malaysia Cup.
