KUALA LUMPUR – Former finance minister II Datuk Seri Johari Ghani (Titiwangsa-BN) has declared his aspiration to make a comeback to head the Finance Ministry.
Johari, who is also Umno vice-president, made the proclamation in the Dewan Rakyat today during opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s (Larut-PN) debate on the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) mid-term review (MTR).
In his speech, Hamzah said the government’s decision to raise the expenditure ceiling for the 12MP by RM15 billion, bringing the total allocation to RM415 billion, has necessitated scrutiny into the jurisdiction of the prime minister, the finance minister and the economic minister.
The Finance Ministry is currently helmed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Tambun-PH) while the Economy Ministry is helmed by Rafizi Ramli (Pandan-PH).
After input from fellow opposition MPs, including Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman (Bachok-PN) and Datuk Radzi Jidin (Putrajaya-PN), Hamzah then suggested that Deputy Finance Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (Pontian-BN) could perhaps be elevated to a full minister.
“Don’t overlook Pontian (Ahmad), who should be advanced up to be a minister…I think Titiwangsa (Johari) also wants the job,” Hamzah, who is also Perikatan Nasional secretary-general, said to rounds of laughter among members in the lower house.
In response, Johari quipped: “I want (to be Finance Minister) one, not two,” to which cheers and exclamations of surprise could be heard in the House, with Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (Kota Bharu-PN) spotted giving Johari a thumbs-up in the background.
“Please include Titiwangsa’s (Johari) interjection on how he wants to be finance minister I into my speech. Sorry Pontian (Ahmad), I take back my earlier suggestion. Maybe you can be finance minister II instead,” Hamzah said.
The practice of having two finance ministers was introduced in 1998 under former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first administration, during which former Jeli MP Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed was made finance minister II.
When Dr Mahathir made a comeback as finance minister in 2001 after Tun Daim Zainuddin resigned from his second tenure at the post, Dr Mahathir was aided by the late Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis as finance minister II.
Fifth prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s term as finance minister also saw the appointment of a second finance minister, namely Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop while Abdullah’s prime ministerial successor, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, had Johari as finance minister II.
Previously in May, former Umno member Khairy Jamaluddin had suggested that Anwar should appoint a second finance minister to act as a helping hand in administrative processes, claiming that conditions at the Finance Ministry have been described as “slow”.
The former health minister had recommended Johari’s name for the post, due to the latter’s background in economics and finance. – September 12, 2023