Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing, whose appointment as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s public campaign coordinator caused a stir, resigned from the position earlier this month, sources told The Malaysian Insider.
The Malaysian Insider understands that the advertising man's short-lived career as Najib's adviser ended in early July after he tendered his resignation.
This comes even as the embattled prime minister struggles to boost his dwindling support over issues related to the controversial 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), the channelling of funds into his personal accounts and growing calls for him to step down over the matter.
Lim, it is learnt, had received his letter of appointment earlier this year from principal private secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, Datuk Seri Azlin Alias, who died in April in a helicopter crash which also killed Rompin MP Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis.
The Malaysian Insider reported on May 22 that Lim, who had run Barisan Nasional's election campaigns previously, was made Najib's new public campaign coordinator in a charm offensive to win over Malaysians and shore up Najib's flagging popularity.
The 69-year-old, who is also a popular educationist, was appointed at the height of the 1MDB scandal, which has seen Najib facing the harshest criticism of his political career with allegations of corruption and misappropriation of funds linked to the state investment vehicle.
More recently, Najib found himself at the centre of an election-funding scandal, where other companies linked to 1MDB had allegedly funnelled billions of ringgit into his personal bank accounts.
Lim had joined the prime minister's group of official advisers who included Datuk Seri Dr Abdullah Md Zin, Datuk Johari Baharum, Tan Sri Rais Yatim and Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
He had also said that his appointment was "nothing special", noting that he had worked for the Malaysian government since 1974 on the New Economic Policy.
His appointment, however, drew the ire of social media users who questioned Lim's integrity in aiding Najib who has been dogged by financial scandals.
Many also pointed out that Lim, despite his impressive credentials, will not be able to help Najib's cause due to the severity of the allegations against him, adding that his fee was "a waste of public funds".
It was also reported that soon after Lim had taken up the appointment, he had drawn up plans for Najib to go on a nationwide tour to garner support and listen to the complaints from the people.
The founder of Limkokwing Institute of Creative Technology, Lim was also brought in to run a political campaign for Najib against his predecessor, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had asked the prime minister to step down over the 1MDB scandal.
Lim, who has been involved in election campaigns for almost four decades, rode high during Dr Mahathir's administration.
Dr Mahathir had chided Lim for asking him to stop attacking Najib over the 1MDB scandal, accusing him of "working hard" to cover the wrongdoings in 1MDB.
Referring to Lim, the retired statesman had written in his blog that he had been advised by a "friend", who was recently appointed as PR strategist to the prime minister, not to attack Najib over 1MDB.
But Dr Mahathir said, in the past, this "friend" had expressed concern about the policies and performance of the Najib administration and had urged him (Dr Mahathir) to do something about it.
However, Dr Mahathir had said during a visit, this friend appeared to have changed and urged him not to attack the prime minister instead.
The Malaysian Insider attempted to contact Lim for confirmation over his resignation but the calls and WhatsApp text messages were not answered. – TMI
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