Former Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has shared his thoughts on the political future of Khairy Jamaluddin, the former UMNO Youth chief, suggesting that Khairy should adopt a bolder and more daring approach if he wants to climb to the top and become Malaysia's prime minister. Zaid emphasized that Khairy's current cautious and calculated stance might prevent him from reaching his ultimate political goals.
In a recent post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Zaid elaborated on Khairy's political potential, noting that he has several qualities that could work in his favor. "Khairy has the good looks, he’s immensely popular among female voters, and he possesses the financial resources to challenge the top leaders in UMNO," Zaid wrote. However, he added that Khairy needs to step out of his comfort zone and be less restricted by the immediate cost-benefit calculations that seem to guide his decisions. "He needs to take some high-grade risks for a longer-term reward," Zaid advised.
Zaid drew a comparison between Khairy's cautious political style and the more audacious approach taken by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar has recently made a bold decision to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with Russia and has expressed Malaysia’s intention to join the BRICS bloc, an alliance of emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. According to Zaid, this move is part of Anwar's larger vision to establish himself as a significant leader not only in Malaysia but also on the global stage, particularly within the Muslim world.
On his podcast, "Keluar Sekejap," Khairy expressed concerns about Anwar's decision to pivot towards Russia, highlighting potential risks for Malaysia's relationship with the United States. Khairy pointed out that while Malaysia's trade with Russia stands at around RM14 billion, its economic ties with China are much more substantial. He questioned whether it is wise to risk straining Malaysia's relationship with the US, a significant global power and a major trading partner.
Zaid, however, believes that Khairy is perhaps too focused on short-term consequences rather than looking at the bigger picture. "KJ is an astute politician who prioritizes cost-benefit analysis, and by that measure, Anwar’s move may seem unwise and risky," Zaid commented. Nonetheless, he encouraged Khairy to think beyond immediate returns and consider the potential long-term gains of taking bold steps in international relations and domestic politics.
Zaid also suggested that Anwar’s ambitions go beyond just being a leader in Malaysia. According to him, Anwar aims to become a prominent figure on the global stage, particularly among Muslim-majority countries. "Anwar sees himself as a global leader of the Muslim world. For him, leading Malaysia is just the first step in his larger quest," Zaid explained. He noted that Anwar understands the necessity of forging alliances with major powers like China and Russia to create a balance against the dominant influence of the United States.
However, Khairy has expressed reservations about this diplomatic shift, particularly its potential consequences for Malaysia’s longstanding relationship with the United States. In a recent episode of his podcast Keluar Sekejap, Khairy raised concerns about the relatively modest trade volume between Malaysia and Russia, which stands at around RM14 billion, compared to Malaysia's far more substantial trade ties with China. He questioned whether it was worth risking strained relations with the U.S. for what he sees as a relatively small economic benefit from Russia.
“KJ is an astute politician who prioritizes cost-benefit analysis, and by that measure, Anwar’s move may seem unwise and risky,” Zaid commented. Despite Khairy's concerns, Zaid urged him to think beyond the immediate consequences and consider the potential long-term gains of taking more strategic risks.
Zaid went further by suggesting that Anwar’s ambitions extend well beyond his current role as Malaysia's prime minister. He posited that Anwar is striving to become a prominent figure on the global stage, particularly within the Muslim world, and sees leading Malaysia as just the first step in his larger quest. According to Zaid, Anwar recognizes the importance of aligning with global powers such as China and Russia as a counterbalance to U.S. influence, a move that could elevate his stature internationally, even if it comes with significant risks.
Drawing on historical examples, Zaid pointed out that Muslim leaders who have taken bold stands against U.S. influence have often faced severe repercussions. He referenced former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, and former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan as leaders who have challenged U.S. interests and faced significant consequences. Zaid suggested that Anwar is likely aware of these risks but believes they are necessary to achieve his broader geopolitical goals.
“Anwar knows that offending America is not difficult, as seen in the cases of Gaddafi, Saddam Hussein, and Imran Khan,” Zaid remarked, implying that Anwar is prepared to take these risks as part of his strategy to assert Malaysia’s and his own influence on the world stage.
Anwar’s recent diplomatic efforts culminated in a two-day visit to Vladivostok, Russia, where he met with President Putin. During this visit, Anwar accepted an invitation to attend the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, scheduled for October 22-24. Malaysia's application to join the BRICS bloc, submitted in July, signals a significant shift in the country's foreign policy orientation under Anwar’s leadership.
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