Former minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala has been diagnosed with stage three lung cancer after undergoing a medical check-up following a persistent cough.
The 67-year-old revealed his condition during an interview on his son Leon Jala’s YouTube channel, The Game of Impossible, saying he would step away from his co-hosting duties while his son continues hosting the programme.
Idris said the diagnosis came after what was initially a routine medical examination. The former Sunway Group co-chairman is now focusing on his treatment following the discovery.
Known as one of Malaysia’s prominent corporate turnaround figures, Idris played a key role in reviving Malaysia Airlines during his tenure as chief executive officer from 2005 to 2009.
When he took over the national carrier, Malaysia Airlines was facing losses of RM1.3 billion in 2005. Under his leadership, the airline returned to profitability with RM852 million in profits two years later.
Before joining Malaysia Airlines, Idris spent 23 years with Shell. His turnaround efforts at the national carrier earned him the CAPA Airline Turnaround of the Year award in 2006 and saw him appointed as a governor on the board of the International Air Transport Association.
Idris later entered government service in 2009 as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and led the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) until 2015, overseeing the implementation of the National Transformation Programme.
He was the first Orang Ulu to serve as a federal minister and currently serves as president and chairman of Pemandu Associates Sdn Bhd. He was also previously chairman of Heineken Malaysia and recognised by Bloomberg as one of the world’s 10 most influential policymakers.
