Veteran journalist, Datuk A. Kadir Jasin, warns the support for the prime minister will not last forever. – The Malaysian Insider filepic, May 24, 2015.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak may enjoy strong support now but a veteran newsman today warned that it would not last forever.
Referring to recent events attended by Najib in his home state of Pahang featuring a sea of supporters, Datuk A. Kadir Jasin said the backing he has been getting of late was temporary and could disappear just as swiftly.
"The PM may still have wide support among the people as well as Umno members.
"But still does not last forever. It is a temporary state. Here today, gone tomorrow," he wrote on his blog, The Scribe A Kadir Jasin, today.
Unhappy with Najib's performance and handling of some government policies, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had repeatedly call for Najib's head to roll.
The statesman had been vocal on numerous issues including the debt-laden 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), which had incurred RM42 billion debts, and Putrajaya's cash aid (BR1M) which he had likened as a form of bribery to win votes.
The former group editor-in-chief of the New Straits Times today also wrote that he is joining Dr Mahathir in calling for Najib to step down after the prime minister said he would not do so “just because one person wants him to do so”.
Citing examples of two former prime ministers – Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi – who had to hand over the reins of governance, Kadir said what Najib is facing bears similarity to what the two past leaders had faced before losing power.
He said Najib's feeling of insecurity and fear of being abandoned was apparent, and suggested that this was one of the reasons why advertising man Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing was appointed as his new public campaign coordinator.
However, he cast doubt over Lim's appointment, saying that the founder of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology would "out talk and ride rough shot" over Najib's other advisers that made up of former ministers.
Najib's advisers are; Datuk Seri Dr Abdullah Md Zin, Datuk Johari Baharum, Tan Sri Rais Yatim and Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
"We can expect to see more slogans, songs, banners and cartoons if LKW has his way," he said in referring to Lim's initials.
The Malaysian Insider reported that Lim was appointed "special programme coordinator", and has drawn up plans for Najib to go nationwide to gather support and listen to the complaints from the people.
The 69-year-old, who set up Malaysia's first local advertising agency, has been involved in election campaigns for almost four decades.
Lim rode high during Dr Mahathir's administration, but the former prime minister is now Najib's harshest critic.
However, he downplayed his appointment, describing it as “nothing special”.
“I’ve been working with the Malaysian government since 1974 on the New Economic Policy.
“My appointment serves as a continuation of the role that I play in supporting the government,” he was quoted as saying in Star Online yesterday.
- TMI
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