CIVIL Society group G25 founding member and advisor Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim has called on Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to state the steps taken to ensure that backbencher political appointees meet the “proper criteria” to strengthen the governance system in public sector enterprises.

Sheriff was referring to law minister and PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan’s statement yesterday that all government backbenchers would be given positions in government linked companies and agencies, saying “they are qualified”.

In a statement today, Sheriff said Muhyiddin should commit to standards set out in the GLC Transformation Programme launched in 2005.

“It should be noted that the GLC Transformation Programme (GTP) was launched at a time when there was very low confidence on the government’s management of the economy.

“Although the GTP did not prevent 1MDB and other scandals from happening, nevertheless it remains relevant as a policy tool to ensure that government’s participation in the economy through the GLCs will be guided by high standards of corporate governance.

“I hope the prime minister will provide a clear clarification, as it will determine whether the private sector will continue to be confident about Malaysia after we have successfully resolved the coronavirus pandemic.”

Earlier today, former minister Rafidah Aziz slammed the Perikatan Nasional government for talking about “cushy posts for everyone in our gang” while the country is in the midst of the pandemic.

The people will lose out in the government’s “musical chairs” to give all its backbenchers posts in government linked companies and agencies, she said. – April 13, 2020.