KHAIRY JAMALUDDIN - THE 'UNWANTED' CHAMPION

With the appointment of the new Ministers and Deputy Ministers by the new Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak yesterday, the most significant UMNO leader not appointed is Khairy Jamaluddin, the newly elected UMNO Youth leader. By convention and tradition, the UMNO Youth leader is always given a ministerial position. To make matters worst, the loser at the contest, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir was offered a deputy minister's position. Maybe this is to keep his solemn promise or to show gratitude to former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who had repeatedly made ways to 'forcefully' remove his successor, Tun (then Datuk Seri) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi by criticising his weak administration openly, although Tun Dr Mahathir is not an angel himself.

Khairy Jamaluddin is the son-in-law of his successor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and one thing is certain that since Tun Abdullah had always kept his promise and had gracefully handed his UMNO position by not contesting and Prime Minister's position by convincing the Yang DiPertuan Agong despite several serious allegations, maybe given time, once everything is forgotten, which is very common among Malaysians, he will be appointed then.

It seems until such time, Khairy might have to wait. Khairy's ambition is to be Malaysian premier before his age is 40 years.