According to news portal Malaysiakini, Khairy told reporters after a programme at Parliament today that there was “no benefit” to him responding.
“I think there is no benefit that can come from me answering the issue,” he said.
Tunku Ismail, popularly known as TMJ, hit out at Khairy two days ago after the minister allegedly attended a Territorial Army event instead of the football match between Kedah and Pahang.
Pointing out that the match had been attended by royalties from the two states as well as Johor, Tunku Ismail said if a person was a minister or a politician, he should be serving the people and the national institutions, not personal interests.
“To me, if the Territorial Army programme was more of a priority, then it would’ve been better for him to be a territorial soldier than a youth and sports minister.
“Don’t just choose to go to events where you will definitely be the centre of attention and when it’s otherwise, you don’t attend because you already know you won’t be the main focus,” Tunku Ismail said in a post on Facebook.
“If it’s all about becoming popular, then you should be a celebrity, not a minister or a politician.”