JOHOR BAHRU: Former Rembau Member of Parliament Khairy Jamaluddin has been appointed as the Johor Youth Advisor and also into the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) Football Club's Board of Directors.

The Tunku Mahkota of Johor (TMJ), Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said today that he had held a meeting with Khairy and agreed to appoint the former Youth and Sports Minister to the two posts.

"His vast experience in various fields in the country will provide added value to the development of youth and progress of football in Johor," Tunku Ismail wrote in his post on his Facebook page today.

On Jan 28, Tunku Ismail, who is also the owner of the football club, had hinted at the possibility of offering the posts of JDT FC chief executive officer and Johor Youth Advisor to Khairy.

Meanwhile, Khairy, through a post on his Facebook page, thanked Tunku Ismail for appointing him, adding that he was thrilled to join JDT FC, which is the biggest club in Southeast Asia and always performed well every season.

"I will whatever little experience I have to assist the TMJ in his vision to make JDT FC the top football club in Asia.

"In addition, I will also help realise the TMJ's desire to empower the youth of Bangsa Johor through education, training, entrepreneurship, welfare and providing appropriate protection to teenagers and children," he said.

Khairy, the former Health Minister and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, said he would repay the trust put in him and strive relentlessly for the continued excellence of JDT FC and the empowerment of youth in Johor.

State Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives, and Human Resources Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said Khairy's appointment was right based on his experience when he served as the Youth and Sports Minister from 2013 to 2018.

"I welcome Khairy's appointment and hope to cooperate with him to ensure the success of the youth development agenda, especially in Johor, can be achieved more effectively.

"I also hope that Khairy, equipped with his experience and capability, can provide new and more dynamic ideas to Johor youth as well as for the development of Johor football," he said.

He also called on the youth in Johor to continue giving their support to enable Khairy to carry out his duties and trust to the best of his ability.

-- BERNAMA