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Perspective: GE 14 result
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Former finance minister II Johari Abdul Ghani censured A Kadir Jasin over the latter’s scathing response to his article on the nation’s economic woes, which touched on the transition of power between Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.
He also responded to the veteran journalist implicating him in the transfer of assets in Felda and FGV Holdings Bhd during the previous administration.
Johari noted that Felda had filed a police report regarding its deal with Indonesian firm Eagle High Plantations (EHP).
“At this stage, it is suffice to say that I was not a party to the transaction.
“As everyone knows, Felda was not part of my portfolio when I served as finance minister II for the period of 21 months.
“If it was, I don’t think that this deal would have gone through,” he added in a statement.
In its police report lodged in April this year, Felda alleged that it overpaid for a 37 percent stake in EHP.
Its general manager Othman Omar claimed that the price was deliberately inflated by almost 450 percent to RM2.3 billion when it was valued at only RM440 million at the time of purchase.
EHP is owned by Rajawali Foundation’s owner Peter Sondakh. The Indonesian tycoon is said to be former premier Najib Abdul Razak’s close friend.
Based on feedback from market, industry players
Meanwhile, Johari said his article, published in The Edge on Dec 21, which ruffled Kadir’s feathers was based on the views from stakeholders.
“My opinion piece entitled ‘What ails Malaysia?’ on the possible factors which have led to the nation’s current economic uncertainties, were basically based on the feedback that I received from the market and industry players.
“Regrettably, a renowned seasoned journalist, who is also a media advisor to the government, seems to have taken my opinion very personally in his (blog) posting,” he added.
As the person tasked with advising the prime minister on media and communications, Johari said Kadir should “respond to arguments intellectually.”
Stressing that he is entitled to his opinion, the former minister also said he has never undermined any of the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) members.
Kadir, who described Johari as member of the cabinet during the “kleptocracy reign” of Najib, castigated him for blaming the poor performance of the stock market on the uncertainty over the transition of power issue.
The veteran journalist, who was a CEP member, likened this to “hiding in murky waters.”
Blaming Najib for Malaysia’s debt, he said: “Who is the one who caused the government to have so much debt except Najib who is his (Johari’s) own boss?”
In his article, Johari questioned the decision-making process in Pakatan Harapan, saying the business community is confused as to whether it is the Economic Affairs Ministry, Finance Ministry, Prime Minister’s Department or CEP which called the shots.
Kadir claimed Johari could be uncomfortable with the consensus process because under BN all the power was in Najib’s hands as prime minister and finance minister.
Apart from Felda, he also believed that Johari might be involved in the sale of Umno shares in Media Prima Bhd and other transactions involving UEM Sunrise Berhad and a luxury hotel in Langkawi.
Commenting on this, Johari said Kadir had taken his argument out of context.
“I do not know what his agenda was but what I know is that he has taken my opinion out of context,” he added.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/504654
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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.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/504597
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KUB appoints former second finance minister Johari as chairman
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has been appointed as KUB Malaysia Bhd’s new non-executive chairman, replacing Datuk Ahmad Ibnihajar.
Johari was Second Finance Minister and is a director of CI Holdings Bhd.
He has more than 25 years of experience In the corporate sector. Johari began his career at an international accounting firm, Messrs Peat Marwick & Co, now Known As Messrs KPMG.
Last week, Johari revealed to the New Straits Times that of KUB’s four activities, only liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) business had been profitable.
The other three businesses – plantation, ICT and power – had been losing money.
KUB, fhe former A&W franchise holder in Malaysia, had sold about RM400 million of assets and investments over the past 10 years.
“Most of the proceeds from the disposals were to finance its overhead,” said Johari, who was responding to the NST report on March 27, quoting sources, that his entry would likely lead to a slew of other changes at KUB, including layoffs and disposals of certain subsidiaries.
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weehingthong 