'KJ the DJ' enough to keep Khairy relevant?

One month ago, former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin was sacked from his long-time party Umno, causing a stir in national politics and casting doubt on his political career and open ambition to become the prime minister one day. 

Today, he is still in the focus of public attention – working as a DJ and radio presenter with local station HotFM. 

His first day on-air, on Feb 15, saw #KJjadiDJ making the rounds as the hottest trending hashtag on social media.

According to media reports, the radio station itself saw a 75% increase in listeners within just one hour through its digital live stream and Audio+ application. 

Political observers agreed in the wake of his career move that it was a smart step and an effective way to remain relevant and popular.  

A former newsman agreed, saying Khairy's decision to turn radio presenter had only boosted his popularity. 

Zin Mahmud, a former senior editor of Utusan Malaysia, said it would also help improve the quality of the Malay-language radio industry. 

"I think he can last for a long time as a DJ," Zin told MalaysiaNow. 

"But success in politics certainly cannot depend on this alone." 

'Historic day'

Khairy, a vocal critic of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was sacked from Umno on Feb 28 alongside a handful of others on grounds of violating party discipline during the general election campaign period last year. 

While on the campaign trail, Khairy said that Umno had lost its way and needed to be "fixed". He also voiced his ambition to become the party president and one day prime minister as well. 

Khairy had campaigned in the constituency of Sungai Buloh where he was transferred to make way for Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan in his own seat of Rembau. 

Mohamad went on to win the seat while Khairy lost the race for Sungai Buloh.

Speaking on his first day as a DJ, Khairy had touched on the events following his defeat on Nov 19, 2022. 

"That was a historic day," he said. "The day that I lost an election."

On social media, however, many listeners said the morning radio segment had taken a more academic turn with Khairy's arrival.

"He covers all of the national issues on the radio," Facebook user Nia said. 

"He talks to the people. And he speaks honestly – how many ministers in the government are smarter than Khairy?"

Twitter user Azizan Salam meanwhile said Khairy was a "different kind of DJ". 

"Normally we hear jokes about weight in the morning but now we hear about social development," he added. 

'Political platform still crucial'

But despite Khairy's success as a radio host, analyst Mazlan Ali said the former health minister might not be able to bank on it in order to remain politically relevant. 

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said Khairy was a popular figure, especially among the Generation Y.

"But truthfully, he needs a political platform," he said, adding that the former Umno Youth chief could appeal against his sacking by the party's Supreme Council. 

Mazlan, of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, added that Khairy's best bet was to stick with Umno. 

"He is popular within Umno, just that he has problems with the top leadership." 

He said Khairy, at 47, also had the option of returning to Umno at a later point as age was still on his side. 

"A political platform is more important for him than the one he has right now," he added. 

Nevertheless, Mazlan said Khairy was a good politician as he had managed to establish himself in a different field despite losing an election and being sacked from his party. 

"This is a good start for him because it proves that he is different from the other politicians," he said.