KJ To Lead PUNB

KJ to lead PUNB, reinforce standing ahead of polls

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 — Putrajaya’s move to name Khairy Jamaluddin as Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB) chairman is to ensure the Umno Youth chief has a better standing ahead of the general election, sources said today.

The Business Times reported today that the first-term Rembau MP will lead the agency entrusted to develop Bumiputera entrepreneurs in strategic and high potential businesses.

“The decision was made as Khairy (picture) is good with the youths but has no official post except as Umno Youth chief. He needs a government post to reinforce his position ahead of the polls,” a government source told The Malaysian Insider.

News of the appointment filtered out after Datuk Seri Najib Razak chaired the government’s economic council meeting yesterday.

“Khairy deserves a higher post but it is not possible yet. So, this is the best that can be done for him to be on a stronger footing,” said another source, confirming Khairy’s appointment.



Putrajaya routinely appoints MPs to lead government agencies, which are seen as a training ground for their eventual appointment to the Cabinet.

It is still not known yet when Khairy will replace current chairman Tan Sri Mohd Abu Bakar Mohd Noor, who has held the position since 1998.

Khairy won the Umno Youth chief post in 2009 party elections but was not appointed to any government post although his losing opponent Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir was made a deputy minister while Umno Youth deputy chief Datuk Razali Ibrahim is also a deputy minister.

Khairy has organised Barisan Nasional (BN) job and career fairs and housing expos across the nation in the past few years that have seen tremendous response from the youths, a key demographic for the next general election.



Some three million voters will be casting their ballots for the first time in the 13th general election and Khairy’s appointment is seen as a way to get their support. Najib has yet to call elections but most political parties expect Parliament to be dissolved in the first half of 2012, a year ahead of BN’s mandate expiring in 2013.

PUNB provides a range of loans to prospective Bumiputera businessmen under various schemes such as Pemborong Prosper, Prosper Runcit and Prosper Siswazah and also networking platforms for its borrowers.



Established in July 1991, PUNB’s business operations are focussed on providing integrated entrepreneur development packages to assist Bumiputera entrepreneurs in retail and small and medium enterprise (SME) sectors.

These development packages are designed to help Bumiputera entrepreneurs develop business acumen, maintain a profitable venture and shape their enterprise.-MalaysianInsider

*Jika betul berita ini, saya ingin mengucapkan tahniah kepada YB Khairy Jamaluddin, semoga perjuangan suara anak muda dalam politik baru akan terus berkembang dibawah kepimpinan beliau. All The Best YB Khairy