KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PH-Tambun) has defended the appointment of politicians to the board of government-linked companies (GLC) and government-linked investment companies (GLIC), stressing that none have been made to financial institutions in keeping with Bank Negara policy.
“Some sectors, especially financial institutions and some related agencies, political appointments to the board of directors are not allowed (by Bank Negara) and we follow this principle.
“God willing, we will continue to improve (measures).
“When there is strict monitoring efforts, it is unlikely that GLC and GLIC board members will act in a manner which goes against established principles,” Anwar, who is also the finance minister, told the Dewan Rakyat during the Prime Minister’s Question Time today.
He said this in response to a supplementary question from government backbencher Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) who suggested that GLC and GLIC board members should be independent individuals, and be chosen by chosen by professionals “with integrity” from the private sector instead.
“It should no longer be a practice to appoint politicians or government officers who either still hold such posts or have retired,” Hassan said.
Anwar said the government “does not discriminate” in these appointments and that thorough checks are done beforehand on potential appointees.
“Appointments (to GLC and GLIC) go through a process, which includes checks from the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Royal Malaysia Police to make sure that their record is clear and defendable.
“Those appointed are professionals. Whether or not they previously held a political position (is not a factor) in their eligibility.”
Anwar today told MPs the government has formed a Special Committee for the Rationalisation of Federal Statutory Bodies, including Companies Limited by Guarantee.
The committee, which will address the duplication of functions and misuse of national funds in statutory bodies and GLCs, will be shared by former Treasury chief secretary Datuk Seri Asri Hamidon.
He also said today that the National Audit Department will conduct audits on 2,000 GLCs beginning next year, and this is a reminder to the entities not to allow leakages.
Political appointments to government-linked corporations have long courted controversy, with the most recent instance being the appointment of Datin Nooryana Najwa Najib to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade).
Before that, the appointment of PKR Women vice-chief Sangetha Jayakumar as a member of the Port Klang Authority’s (PKA) board of directors earlier this year also raised eyebrows.
Her appointment was criticised as a “political appointment” as she is also the daughter of former PKR vice-president and Kuala Langat MP Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar while PKA is currently chaired by DAP’s former Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah.
In June, PH’s Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi was appointed as the new board chairman of Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd.
Critics have previously highlighted that such appointments contradict Pakatan Harapan’s past stance which emphasised the need to eliminate the practice of rewarding politicians and their associates with positions as a form of loyalty. – October 22, 2024