Veteran newsman A Kadir Jasin’s political stand is no secret. He has been regularly penning articles critical of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in his blog.

The former Umno-linked News Straits Times group editor-in-chief is often described as being pro-former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is the current prime minister’s arch nemesis.

Kadir has been writing a column under the pseudonym ‘Kunta Kinte’ for Berita Harian since 1987. He later changed it to ‘Kunta Kinte Original’ when another blogger used the former name.

In a blog posting today, the veteran newsman revealed that on April 12, he was informed by Berita Harian group editor Mahfar Ali that his column would be stopped starting this week.

“I told Mahfar when we met that I understand his position and am grateful to him for attempting to defend the column.

“But I know there are greater powers whose ‘revelations’ (wahyu) must be followed,” he said.

Kadir reiterated what he had posted on his blog on April 11 that mainstream media journalists must remember that what is important at the end is circulation and viewer figures.

“If they continue to blindly support Najib and insult Mahathir without limitations, their circulation and viewership will decline. (When that happens), they will not only be unable to defend Najib but their rice bowls will be threatened as well.

“They must realise (the reasons) why the mainstream media is losing out to the online media,” he added.

Kadir said his column was stopped in 1997 as well, after he penned about Mahathir’s speech during the Umno general assembly then, where the former premier had quoted a Shakespearean play on Julius Caesar, which was ‘Et Tu Brute’ (You too Brutus).

“This speech referred to Brutus’ betrayal towards Caesar. I wrote that Brutus in Mahathir’s speech was Anwar Ibrahim who was then deputy prime minister and finance minister.

“At that time, Berita Harian , TV3 and the Utusan group were staunch supporters of Anwar,” he added.

Kadir resumed the column in 2010.

The veteran journalist also explained why he chose the pseudonym ‘Kunta Kinte’.

“I chose the name from the historical novel ‘Roots’ by Alex Haley because Kunta Kinte was an African prince who was abducted and sold into slavery and although he was made a slave, Kunta Kinte retained his pride and dignity,” he said.