Deputy defence minister regrets letter went viral, scraps bid to get son GLC job

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 22 Aug 2020 8:50PM · 8 Comments

Ikmal Hisham Abd Aziz says it was weakness on his part for sending a letter and vows to rectify it. – Facebook pic, August 22, 2020.

DEPUTY Defence Minister Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz regrets that his letter seeking Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s support for his son to get a Pharmaniaga directorship has gone viral, BHOnline reports.

Ikmal Hisham, who is Tanah Merah MP, said he has withdrawn the request and that Ismail Sabri has commented on the matter.  

“I have informed (those involved) that the letter be cancelled, especially to the chairman of the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT), and asked that my son not be considered in matters concerning the fund.

“I also admit there were weaknesses on my part and I will rectify this as soon as possible. Actually that letter that has gone viral was written sometime ago, on June 5. In fact, my son has been informed he will not be appointed. 

“I was shocked when the letter went viral, especially since it was the day before the election (of directors). But I take this positively, and assume it was just coincidence,” he said after an event in his constituency today.

The letter dated June 5 was addressed to Ismail Sabri seeking the appointment of Ikmal Hisham’s son, Ikmal Hazlan, to Pharmaniaga, a subsidiary of Boustead Holdings Bhd.

It also had a handwritten minute by Ismail Sabri to the LTAT chairman stating his support for the appointment.

Ismail Sabri said he just supported the application but did not push through the appointment as that would be nepotism.

Pharmaniaga’s majority shareholder is Boustead Holdings Berhad. LTAT, in turn, holds a majority stake in Boustead and a smaller stake in Pharmaniaga.

Pharmaniaga announced in a filing with Bursa Malaysia on August 3 that Azhar Ahmad, Najmil Faiz Mohamed Aris and Zulkifli Jafar have been appointed to the role of independent and non-executive directors, replacing retired members. – August 22, 2020. 

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Comments

  • Absolutely disgusting.

    Now PN is treating GLC as family business!

    Posted 3 years ago by Tavern Folks · Reply

  • Regardless whether the application was withdrawn or not is immaterial. It just showed poor judgment. How can Malaysians able to trust their safety to the minister / deputy minister with such a poor judgement?

    Posted 3 years ago by YUSHRI ZAINUDIN · Reply

    • If the letter had not gone viral the appointment would have gone ahead. Thanks to the whistleblower.

      Posted 3 years ago by Anwar Ismail · Reply

  • Whats the big deal la, all the MPs are appointed to GLCs, why not the son of a deputy minister

    Posted 3 years ago by Chai Hin Goh · Reply

  • Millions of voters mean nothing. Those who got voted forgot their duties and responsibilities because they are too busy with their personal agenda. As if they own this country.

    Posted 3 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply

  • He was shocked it went viral because he got caught trying to abuse his position. He needs to be kicked out. Any decent person who not have written a letter of support in the first place. Where has he been in the last 2 years? He has not learned anything from BNs demise.

    Posted 3 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • Ikmal, gone were the days of hand kissing at the airport when the boss returned home. Bringing bananas or nasi kunyit to religious teacher idms not practiced anymore. Writing support for you people wd b ok still. Writing support letter for your own son applying for a GLC company is out of context

    Posted 3 years ago by Zainuddin Yusoff · Reply

  • Just out of curiosity what are the sons credentials apart from his sonship? Perhaps he merits a position and could have gotten it under his own steam.

    Posted 3 years ago by Shalet Marian · Reply