In Malaysia Baru, advisors are often the mouthpiece of the leaders telling the inside story from the corridors of power the way they never been told before.
The media advisor to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad seems to target key economic and finance ministers for being complacent as ‘village champions’ urging them to be global champions altogether.
Datuk A. Kadir Jasin, the communications and media advisor Dr Mahathir yesterday made a plea to Pakatan Harapan leaders, mentioning the Economy, Finance and Trade ministers and ministries, asking them to step up and not to let the PM shoulder the entire responsibility of informing the world of Malaysia’s predicaments and prospects.
Jasin, known for his no hold bar comments in his blog post yesterday says these ministers and senior officials must step up do more to help Dr Mahathir.
He feels they are not doing enough to tell the story of the current administration’s achievements in its one year in power, leaving the heavy lifting to the nonagenarian.
Kadir wrote,
“It’s unreasonable to leave everything to the prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Ministers in charge of the economy, finance, and trade, in particular, must be both ‘jaguh kampong’ (village champions) and ‘jaguh dunia’ (global champions).”
Last month Dr Mahathir said he has a heavier burden now because his cabinet is inexperienced. He rated the cabinet with a grading of 5 for their inexperience in handling issues and in explaining the government achievements.
Kadir also wrote that on an international level, the achievements of the PH government are not being broadcast enough, since the rest of the world seemed to not know about them.
He recounted that complaints were made to him about Malaysian ministers during his visit to Singapore for Forum Asia 2019.
“We have done so much since Pakatan Harapan won the May 9, 2018, General Elections, yet it appeared to me that so little is known by the international investors.
“I am annoyed by the reluctance of some key ministers to engage with local and international businessmen, investors and fund managers.
“I think after a year, they should have gathered sufficient knowledge, experience and courage to engage with the key stakeholders at home and abroad, and leave the day-to-day running of the ministries to civil servants.”
He asked the ministers) to quicken the tempo and if they are lagging behind, they should start speaking up.
Kadir also mentioned concerns about the leadership transition when Dr Mahathir turns over the reins to his successor, Anwar Ibrahim.
“I sense that the level of confidence in his (Mahathir’s) administration is high, but the recurring concern is the transition of power to Anwar Ibrahim./ TISG