JOHOR BARU, Feb 15 — Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Ibrahim has today agreed to appoint Khairy Jamaluddin as the state’s youth adviser and also into the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) Football Club’s board of directors.

Tunku Ismail, who is popularly known as TMJ (the Malay initials for Tunku Mahkota Johor), said Khairy had agreed to the appointments after meeting him.

"His experience in various fields in the country will be valuable in youth development and football progress in Johor,” he said in a brief posting in his official Facebook page.

On January 29, Tunku Ismail had hinted at the possibility of offering the two posts to Khairy following the former health minister‘s sacking from Umno.

The JDT owner posted a photo of him with the former Rembau MP with the caption "Future JDT FC CEO and Johor Youth Advisor”.

"Experienced, proven, why not,” Tunku Ismail said, suggesting Khairy’s vast experience as a former youth and sports minister.

Earlier, Khairy confirmed his appointment and thanked Tunku Ismail.

"More or less, I can confirm (the appointment). This is a serious matter and is not a joke,” he was reported saying on his first day as a radio disc jockey on HotFM this morning.

Meanwhile, Johor Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Human Resources Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah welcomed the appointment.

He looked forward to working with Khairy for youth development in the state.

Khairy, also known as KJ, is no stranger to football.

He was once the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president in 2007 .

During his stint as the Youth and Sports Minister from 2013 to 2018, he initiated the National Football Development Programme (NFDP) to produce talented young players.