Kadir Jasin: Ex-minister used to obeying Najib, doesn't like Harapan consensus

Veteran journalist A Kadir Jasin pulled no punches in a blog post this morning when taking former finance minster (II) Johari Abdul Ghani to task over his actions while in power. 

Saying he had previously shown restraint towards Johari, Kadir (photo) said he decided the gloves were off once he saw the latter's criticisms of the government in the media.

Describing Johari as the former minister of finance II during the "kleptocracy reign" of Najib Abdul Razak, Kadir took issue with Johari's comments in The Edge Weekly.

"Johari is blaming the Pakatan Harapan government for three things that allegedly caused the country's economy to collapse," said Kadir.

"Firstly, the transfer of power from the Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Anwar Ibrahim has caused uncertainty in the stock market."

Kadir slammed Johari saying that by him blaming the poor stock market on this reason was akin to "bending low to hide in murky waters".

He added that the uncertainty was partly because there were many Umno MPs plotting to get into government through the backdoor and attempting to destabilise Harapan in this manner.

Johari also claimed that uncertainty over policy issues, such as highway concessions which have seen conflicting statements from ministers, could cause the government debt to rise. This, he said, was not in line with the government's agenda of reducing debt.

"Who is the one who caused the government to have so much debt except Najib who is his (Johari's) own boss?" snapped Kadir.

Johari, who lost in GE14 to Harapan's Rina Harun, is a member of the Umno supreme council and heads FT Umno. He served as an understudy to Najib from 2016 to 2018.

Johari, in his comments to The Edge, also criticised Harapan's decision-making process. He was quoted as saying the feedback he received from the business community showed they were confused about who made the decisions at the highest level of government.“The feedback that I have received from those in the business community is that they are confused as to who makes the decisions in the government level," said Johari.

"Is it the ministry of economic affairs, the ministry of finance, the Prime Minister’s Office or the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP)?

“Even though the CEP has been abolished, many in the business community believe it still exists. Even some of those in the management of government-linked companies that I meet still think the CEP is calling the shots and still has a lot of influence. This whole set up is confusing."

Johari (above) added: “We have inexperienced ministers who are unable to work with senior government servants to execute government policies. There are fights between ministers and chief secretaries. They seem to contradict one another."

Kadir, who was part of the CEP, said this issue revealed Johari's real purpose, which was his dissatisfaction with the way the Harapan government made decisions through consensus.

"It could be that Johari is uncomfortable with the consensus process because under BN all the power was in Najib's hands as prime minister and finance minister," said Kadir.

He went on to express his belief that Johari may be involved in some corporate takeovers involving government-linked companies and agencies.

"I have gained leads naming Johari as an important behind-the-scenes player in several major corporate affairs," Kadir said.

He alleged this included the sale of Umno shares in Media Prima Berhad, transfer of assets in Felda and FGV Holdings Berhad, and other transactions involving UEM Sunrise Berhad and a luxury hotel in Langkawi.

Kadir, who used to head the New Straits Times, claimed several people at Media Prima had been called in to talk to Johari about the future and direction of the Group, including staff reduction.

Malaysiakini has contacted Johari for response.