Khairy Jamaluddin, formerly a prominent politician and Malaysia’s former Ministry of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic, has now embarked on a new journey as a broadcaster and podcaster. His transition from politics to the realm of media was sparked by personal and professional motivations.
In 2022, following the General Election, Khairy decided to part ways with his political party, citing disagreements with its leadership as the catalyst for his departure. Faced with the prospect of fading into political obscurity, he sought a way to remain relevant to the public. His past experience hosting television shows in the 1990s bolstered his confidence in venturing into the world of broadcasting and podcasting.
Khairy recognizes the significance of radio, a medium with broad reach and a comfortable, stress-free environment for him. Conversely, podcasting presents a unique challenge as he tackles weighty subjects like politics, which can be mentally taxing. However, he is driven by a desire to make these crucial topics accessible to a wider audience, recognizing that public interest in such matters is waning.
For Khairy, authenticity is paramount in both radio and podcasting. He advises aspiring podcasters to avoid trying to deceive their audiences, emphasizing the importance of being genuine and sincere in their content. Khairy understands that remaining authentic is especially challenging for those still involved in politics, as their efforts may be perceived as propaganda or partisan platforms. Therefore, he believes that only individuals outside of politics can truly succeed in this endeavour.
In Malaysia, a visually-oriented society, Khairy acknowledges that visual representation is valuable, particularly for promotional purposes on social media platforms like TikTok. Nevertheless, he maintains that the spoken word remains the core product of both podcasting and radio.
