HEADS of government-linked companies (GLCs) will be chosen among those with high integrity and knowledge, said Economics Affairs Minister Azmin Ali, explaining Putrajaya’s recent shake-up of these entities.  

This commitment comes as the new government strives to break away from the past practice of rewarding political loyalists with such plum posts.

“All executives in GLCs must be those who can perform efficiently, not because they were given political rewards,” Azmin said after a World Bank function in Kuala Lumpur.

“This is something that has been repeatedly stressed by the prime minister. The executives serve because of their expertise, not because of high, exorbitant allowances.

“This must stop,” Azmin said in reference to the much-criticised practice by the Barisan Nasional administration of appointing loyalists to the coalition and the former prime minister.

Azmin said he, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and the Council of Eminent Persons would hold discussions to identify those to replace the GLC chiefs.

“We will identify personalities who have the highest integrity, knowledge, and credibility to lead these entities,” Azmin said. 

“We want all GLCs to meet the highest standards of governance and best practices.”

The Malaysian Insight reported that the new Pakatan Harapan government had embarked on a total purge of political appointees in GLCs.

Some of these appointees were BN politicians loyal to defeated prime minister Najib Razak, while others had openly campaigned for the coalition in GE14.

In the run-up to polls on May 9, 53 GLC heads sang praises to BN in a controversial music video that was part of the coalition’s “Hebatkan Negaraku” campaign.

  Some GLC chiefs have voluntarily retired, while others have not had their contracts renewed.

It is understood that the clean-up is expected to last till Malaysia Day on September 16. – July 2, 2018.