A veteran newsman closely associated with Dr Mahathir Mohamad says there is a buzz about a new person, from outside the media circle, acting as Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s propaganda chief.

A Kadir Jasin said this when citing a text message which he received from a mainstream newspaper editor who inquired about this individual.

"Who is this person by the name H___ R___ who is said to so close to the PM and is able to tell the heads of Media Prima and Utusan what they should spin?" stated the message Kadir said he received.

However, he said, he dares not publish the name of this person and his alleged link to Najib as he has not corroborated the information with that person.

"My query on the matter addressed to the two PMO (Prime Minister's Office) contacts have not been answered (as well)," Kadir added in his latest blog posting .

The former News Straits Times (NST) group editor-in-chief suggested that the individual could be behind the mainstream media attacks against Mahathir and former finance minister Daim Zainuddin.

"They (the attacks) were too systematic to be the work of individual reporters and editors chasing after news. They appear to be working in concert and orchestrated by someone outside the media," Kadir said.

Yesterday, Daim said that he knows who the person behind the attacks against him is.

A check with Umno insiders revealed that Kadir could be referring to an Umno-linked businessman with close ties to Putrajaya.

       

Najib heading for economic forum in Davos

On another matter, Kadir also claimed to have learnt that Najib would be heading for Davos in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum and then later to London to meet Malaysian students there.

He said after being informed that bloggers could be part of his entourage, he sent text messages to his PMO contacts on the matter, among others asking whether Najib would travel in an air force jet.

One did not respond, he said, while the other replied: "When PM leaves for official or working visit, a statement would be issued by Wisma Putra prior to the visit."

Kadir also expressed hope that when Najib attends the WEF in Davos in the next few days, the prime minister would get some answers to Malaysia's worsening economic situation.

"We need urgent answers to the widening effects of falling crude oil prices on our economy, on the national budget, which I am told is being reworked, on the exchange rates for the ringgit, the prices of goods and services and, not the least, on our sovereign rating," he added.