JAMALUDDIN Jarjis was already a wealthy businessman when I became prime minister, said Najib Razak, adding that the riches were not the result of the former’s association with him.
In a Facebook post tonight, Najib said although Jamaluddin was an ally, the late Rompin MP never asked him for projects.
In contrast, he said, Jamaluddin secured many government projects during Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s his first tenure as prime minister.
“Many have asked about Jamaluddin’s properties, said to be worth RM2.1 billion. There are those who claim his relationship with me was the source of his wealth.
“It is sad to see such baseless accusations hurled at the deceased, who is unable to answer for himself.”
Jamaluddin’s wealth came under scrutiny after his mother, Aminah Abdullah, 84, applied for an inheritance certificate at the shariah high court to transfer moveable and immoveable properties to his estate, valued at RM2.1 billion.
Transparency International-Malaysia chairman Akhbar Satar told The Malaysian Insight that Jamaluddin was not from a well-off family, and did not make his money professionally.
Najib said Jamaluddin, who received a PhD in electrical engineering from Canada’s McGill University in 1980, opened an engineering consultancy firm in 1984, and two years later, bought EPE Power, which was listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in the 1990s.
He said the listing helped Jamaluddin raise capital and invest in various projects in the power sector.
“In the 1990s, under Dr Mahathir’s administration, EPE Power was awarded an independent power producer (IPP) contract in Sabah. Jamaluddin was given government and privatisation projects, including an air force-Airod/NADI maintenance and repairs facility and Lembaga Kemajuan Pahang Tenggara.
“These privatisation projects were on the list of projects released by Dr Mahathir in 1998, during the crisis between him and Anwar Ibrahim.”
He said Jamaluddin was made Tenaga Nasional Bhd chairman in 2000, and after Dr Mahathir took on the portfolio of finance minister following Daim Zainuddin’s resignation from the post for the second time, Jamaluddin was made second finance minister in 2002.
“I’ve been made to understand that Jamaluddin’s children took over his business and continued with investments when he was assigned as ambassador to the US.
“The investments included saving an IPP in Kulim that had been taken over by local banks in 2004 for failing to settle debts amounting to RM1.4 billion.
“Jamaluddin also had a 10% stake in NADI, following its privatisation in the 1990s. NADI is among the investors in Malindo Air, as well as Indonesia’s Lion Air.”
Najib added that the accusations made regarding Jamaluddin’s wealth were uncalled for, especially given the fact that he died under tragic circumstances.
Jamaluddin died in a helicopter crash in Semenyih three years ago. Five others were also killed in the accident.
– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com
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