BENTONG: Corporate figure-turned-politician Datuk Seri Johari Harun had a promising political career ahead of him but sadly fate had other plans for the first term Pelangai assemblyman.
Sabai assemblyman V. Arumugam described Johari's death in the ill-fated plane crash in Elmina, Shah Alam yesterday as a "cruel twist" and major loss for Pelangai, Bentong parliamentary constituency and the state of Pahang.
"We were close as our constituencies (Pelangai and Sabai) are located next to each other and both of us are first term assemblymen. We met last week (Aug 9) in Karak here when he chaired a meeting on measures to overcome threats posed by houseflies at a settlement here.
"Johari has a lot of potential to go far in politics and is well-respected by everyone....he had planned a lot of developments for Sabai including housing projects and a community hall. I am not sure the fate of the planned projects now," said the Pahang MIC chairman.
Johari, who was the founder of Gading Group which is involved in aviation, defence, maritime and technology, was picked to contest the Pelangai state seat in GE15 after incumbent Tan Sri Adnan Yaakob retired from politics after serving eight terms.
Johari, who then served as the Bentong Umno division vice-chairman, not only helped Barisan Nasional retain the seat but was named as the state executive council member in charge of local government, housing, environment, and green technology. He served as the Bentong Umno division youth chief between 2008 and 2013.
Born in Bentong, Johari was a former Royal Military College student before pursuing law at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
Johari, who won the Bentong Umno division chief post unopposed during the party polls in March, was recently assisting Pahang Umno's election campaign during the state election in Kelantan.
He was determined to help Umno regain the trust of voters again, and strengthen the people's confidence towards the party.
Last night, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah had expressed their condolences over the death of Johari along with nine other victims.
A statement by Istana Negara wrote Johari was a close friend of Al-Sultan Abdullah and his family.
Yesterday, the six-seater Beechcraft Model 390 (Premier 1) bearing the registration number N28JV crashed near Elmina, Shah Alam when approaching Subang Airport from Langkawi.
The crash had killed all eight people onboard – six passengers including Johari and two crew members – and two road users in the incident.