Welfare Foundation Distances Itself from Alleged “Keluarga Malaysia” Political Party
KUALA LUMPUR – Dato’ Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the former Prime Minister and current chairman of Yayasan Keluarga Malaysia (YKM), has issued a firm clarification stating that a political party reportedly operating under the name “Keluarga Malaysia” has no affiliation whatsoever with the established welfare foundation. He emphasized that YKM, dedicated to supporting orphans and families in need, remains entirely independent of any political entity.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri revealed that he was only recently made aware of the purported political party. He stressed that YKM, a long-standing charitable organisation, has no connection to any political group that might adopt a similar name. “This is the first I heard about it,” he stated. “If there really is a Parti Keluarga Malaysia, it has absolutely no connection to YKM.”
He indicated that YKM would await official pronouncements from the Registrar of Societies Malaysia (RoS) regarding the alleged party’s registration. “I have not checked (the existence of the party) yet. If there is nothing, we will check with RoS ourselves,” Ismail Sabri added, highlighting a proactive approach to address any potential misrepresentations.
Reports have suggested that Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, following his expulsion from Bersatu in February, is poised to lead the newly formed Parti Keluarga Malaysia. This development was reportedly confirmed by the party’s founder, Khairi Jaya, who indicated that arrangements for Hamzah’s leadership are nearing completion.
Ismail Sabri acknowledged the significant potential for public confusion arising from the use of a similar name, particularly among the foundation’s consistent donors. “We are worried that many others may use the ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ name. It could cause us difficulties as well,” he expressed.
The chairman voiced his concern that such confusion could erode public trust in YKM, an organisation heavily reliant on public generosity to fulfil its mission of assisting orphaned children. He underscored that the foundation’s reputation and operational integrity are paramount.
To safeguard its identity and standing, YKM is exploring all appropriate measures. These considerations include the possibility of officially registering or patenting its name. This strategic move aims to preempt any future attempts to leverage the well-regarded “Keluarga Malaysia” brand for unrelated purposes, thereby protecting the foundation’s legacy and its ability to serve its beneficiaries effectively. The foundation remains committed to its charitable objectives, free from any political entanglements.
