KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — The new Cabinet lineup announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will be placed under the microscope by not only the public but also party members.

Still in a shock over the reshuffle which saw Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin axed as deputy prime minister, Umno members are expected to keep a close eye on Najib’s selection.

But newly appointed deputy finance minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani remains unperturbed.

“It comes with the job. People will scrutinise, even within Umno and once you hold public office, you would expect such scrutiny,” said Johari, who turned 51 on March 6.

“I am used to it. I’ve been the director of several companies and there is the time of the year where I faced Bursa (Malaysia) and the shareholders. It is all about accountability and transparency.”

The Titiwangsa MP downplayed his quick rise in politics, calling it “national duty”.

“Do you think I am going up fast? I’m already 51!” he said in jest.

“When Najib told me to set my sights on the Titiwangsa constituency for the 2013 general election, I took it as a challenge. Hardly two years later, he has given me a ministerial role and I call this national service.”

Born and raised in Kampung Pandan, the certified accountant is no stranger to the business world. He started his career as an auditor with Peat Marwick & Co (now known as KPMG) and worked his way up the corporate ladder, having held key positions in several public listed companies including chairman of UDA Holdings and group managing director of CI Holdings Berhad.

Johari has been vocal about the government providing affordable homes for the middle and lower income groups in Kuala Lumpur. He believes being part of the finance ministry will help him pursue his cause.

“We have the 1Malaysia Housing Programme (PR1MA) which caters for a certain group but there is another group which just cannot afford houses in the city unless they are heavily subsidised by the government. So we must extend more people’s housing development (PPR) programmes. Developers shy away from such development as the selling price cannot cover the cost and this is where the government must come in.

“To do this, I will need to share my views with the ministry including the finance minister (Najib). Sometimes it’s not just about money as we need to speak to developers, land issues ... as such we need to get more stakeholders and other ministries involved.”

The one-time Kuala Lumpur FA vice-president admitted it would not be an easy task but is committed to ensure the lower income group will still have a place in the city despite ballooning real estate prices in the Klang Valley. He also said there were other pressing matters to look into to ensure the nation’s coffers remain healthy.

“This is an opportunity to serve the government and nation. It’s collective work and my little experience will give added value in this new portfolio,” he added.