Najib would rather bring country down with him than resign, says Kadir Jasin

Datuk A. Kadir Jasin today accused Datuk Seri Najib Razak of clinging on to power at all costs despite being faced with ongoing political scandals and repeated calls for him to step down. Writing in his blog, the veteran newsman listed a litany of Najib's problems which included his spending in the run up to the 2013 general election and the scandal surrounding state investment vehicle 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). "Still he is not showing any sign of giving up or preparing for an amicable handover. Instead his behaviour suggests that he would rather sink with the pinisi (the Bugis ship) and take everybody down with him," said the former New Straits Times group editor-in-chief. The High Court today ordered Najib and three others to file their defence in response to a suit by the opposition for allegedly overspending in their GE13 election campaign. Swiss authorities had also announced yesterday they had frozen tens of millions of dollars in assets as part of an investigation into 1MDB. Najib too had to fend off calls from critics, led by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to step down, and had repeatedly maintained he would not go. Kadir said today while Malaysians can choose to sue Najib like that of former Langkawi Umno wanita leader Anina Saaduddin, he expressed doubts that hearing of such cases would be expedited. "Civil suits could take years before being set for trial. Suits can also be brought against AmIslamic to compel it to reveal details of the account," he said in reference to the bank where Najib had previously had personal accounts, where the RM2.6 billion "donation" was reportedly deposited. Kadir said all this would only serve to weaken Najib, lamenting that a "lame duck" prime minister would be a bane for the country due to the current economic climate. Kadir said he had consistently argued since 2001 when Dr Mahathir temporarily took over the Finance Minister portfolio that a sitting premier should not double up as finance minister. Both Najib and his precedessor, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, also held the finance minister portfolio. Kadir said the country's economy and financial management under Najib had appeared to confirm his fear. "But it would appear that Najib would rather be advised by the people who are more likely to say 'yes sir' to him than by people who are genuinely knowledgeable and would call a spade a spade in his face. "It proves yet again the 'orang besar' and exclusive nature of his personality," he said in a swipe against Najib's elite background. "He spoke of inclusiveness yet he is very exclusive in his handling of politics and administration". – September 3, 2015.