PETALING JAYA, Selangor: Former minister, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, has been diagnosed with stage three lung cancer after a routine medical examination prompted by a persistent cough.
The diagnosis was reported by Free Malaysia Today (FMT), which cited Idris’ disclosure in the latest episode of his ‘Game of Impossible’ podcast with his son, Leon Jala.
Idris, 67, said the cancer was detected following a medical check-up after he developed a persistent cough.
He also announced that he would be stepping away from co-hosting the podcast while undergoing treatment, with Leon set to continue hosting the programme.
Widely regarded as a corporate turnaround specialist, Idris served as chief executive officer of Malaysia Airlines from 2005 to 2009, steering the national carrier from losses of RM1.3 billion in 2005 to a profit of RM852 million two years later.
In 2009, he was appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, becoming the first Orang Ulu to serve as a federal minister.
During his tenure, he led the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) from 2009 to 2015, overseeing the government’s national transformation programme.
His contributions to public policy earned international recognition, with Bloomberg naming him among the world’s 10 most influential policymakers in 2014.
Following the disestablishment of Pemandu in 2017, Idris became president and chairman of Pemandu Associates Sdn Bhd, a position he continues to hold.
