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Aide's death deals major blow to embattled Najib
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been dealt a major setback with the death of Umno lawmaker Jamaluddin Jarjis, one of his most trusted aides, as he faces what is regarded as the biggest political crisis of his present term in office
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M
alaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been dealt a major setback with the death of Umno lawmaker Jamaluddin Jarjis, one of his most trusted aides, as he faces what is regarded as the biggest political crisis of his present term in office.
Jamaluddin's death last Saturday comes as Najib faces pressure from former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad to resign.
Najib is also under the intense scrutiny of the opposition and the public over the fate of the controversial, debt-ridden state-owned investment firm, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Najib, who is also finance minister, is chairman of 1MDB's advisory board.
JJ, as Dr Jamaluddin was popularly known, was Najib's political strategist. At the time of his death, he was Malaysia's special envoy to the United States.
"JJ was Najib's confidant, politically and personally. He was the man who gave Najib the confidence to handle the prime minister job. This is a huge blow for him," said Umno Member of Parliament Nur Jazlan Mohamed.
Dr Jamaluddin died in a helicopter crash that also killed five others on board, including Najib's principal private secretary, Azlin Alias.
"In one week, Najib has lost three senior aides - JJ, Azlin and Jelani, his private secretary. This comes at a time when Najib needs them the most," Nur Jazlan told The Straits Times.
Mohd Po'ad Jelani, who was Najib's private secretary of 16 years, died of lymphoma last week at age 50.
The prime minister relied heavily on Dr Jamaluddin's political skills in his decision-making, according to a political analyst.
"Najib will find it difficult to nurture another leader with whom he can have similar relations based on long-term friendship, trust and to come up with smart strategies," said the analyst, who declined to be named.
"Najib trusted JJ's intuition and strategies and followed his advice nearly without question.
"He was the de facto director for BN and was in charge of the war chest (BN election financing) and headed the think-tank for election strategies," added the analyst, referring to the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.
Dr Jamaluddin was appointed ambassador to the US in 2009.
"He was Malaysian ambassador to the US at a crucial period, to smoothen relations and ensure (President Barack) Obama had a good picture of Najib and the country, especially when Anwar seemed to have much influence in Washington, DC," said the analyst, in a reference to opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Born in Pekan, Pahang, on May 25, 1951, Dr Jamaluddin leaves behind his wife Kalsom Ismail, three daughters and a son.
Malaysian police have retrieved the helicopter's cockpit voice recorder. The investigation into the crash could take up to a week to conclude. (***)
