Overtime Ep 1 | Idris Jala: "Why I Almost Quit as Minister”

Our pilot episode of our brand-new English podcast series, Overtime, features a compelling and deeply reflective conversation with Dato' Sri Idris Jala, a globally recognised Malaysian technocrat, transformation leader, former federal minister, and turnaround expert who has shaped public policy and corporate strategy in Malaysia and beyond. Hosts Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Nani Roslan sit down with the man behind bold national reforms and the co-host of The Game of Impossible, a podcast he created alongside his son Leon that explores ideas once thought unattainable. Overtime, a Lebih Masa original aims to drive conversations that are credible and trusted, focusing on current affairs and sustainability. The episode begins with a nostalgic journey back to Bario, Sarawak, where Idris reflects on growing up as a Kelabit boy in a remote highland community. From Bario to Universiti Sains Malaysia, he shares how indigenous values, resilience, and simplicity shaped his worldview long before he stepped into boardrooms and Parliament. The conversation then turns to his corporate career at Shell and Malaysia Airlines, where he refined his turnaround expertise and developed his “Big Fast Results” philosophy. He walks us through leading Malaysia Airlines during one of its most challenging periods, offering candid insights on navigating resistance, making tough decisions, and balancing data with instinct. We also explore his transition into public service as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and CEO of PEMANDU, where he drove the National Transformation Programme. After nearly resigning over his warning that Malaysia risked going bankrupt by 2019 without structural reforms, Idris reflects on the backlash and the lessons it taught him about political accountability. From governance and technocracy to the MADANI framework and Malaysia’s future, he shares his views on the risks and opportunities ahead, including his thoughts that if it were not for the 1MDB scandal, Najib Razak could have been one of Malaysia's best prime ministers. This episode invites you to hear a story that stretches from the highlands of Sarawak to the global stage, reminding us that what seems impossible is often just the beginning. Overtime Episode 1 - powered by AQ Energy #SolarLagiJimat is available on all official Lebih Masa platforms. E-mail us at [email protected] if you want to explore commercial collaborations. 03:04 Podcast Origins 06:33 Early Years 25:39 Corporate Career 35:09 What Happened to MAS? 46:03 MAS Today 50:13 Big Fast Results (BFR) 52:25 Entering the Cabinet 01:02:35 Greatest Achievement 01:10:59 1MDB 01:14:01 Government’s Biggest Challenge 01:19:05 Speak Up 01:23:10 Current Focus Hosts: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad: @NikNazmiNikAhmad Nani Roslan: @naniroslan Like, Follow, Share, Subscribe: TikTok / FB / Instagram / YouTube – @lebihmasa You can also listen to this broadcast in audio format: Spotify / Apple Podcasts – Lebih Masa Would you like your brand to collaborate with a media platform that champions a more equitable, sustainable, and united Malaysia? Let’s start the conversation at [email protected] Credits: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Johan Ariff PRODUCER: Sherry M. Shariff CAMERAS: Mamathusin & Alyf Firdaus TECHNICIAN: Chandra Arjun EDITING / GFX / FINAL MIX: Karl Zahbah PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR: Jacintha Rajah SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT: Shafwan Zaidon #niknazmi #naniroslan #idrisjala