THE appointment of Maszlee Malik as the head of the Mara advisory committee definitely raised a few eyebrows yesterday. Although the former education minister is undoubtedly well suited for the position, the fact that he is a known Mahathir loyalist alludes to this being a political move rather than a practical one. More so given how the timing coincides with parliament accepting the much-dreaded vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
It’s no secret that there has been a growing and rather public split between Perikatan Nasional’s Bersatu and Muafakat Nasional factions. Previously, some Umno top leaders such as Khaled Norden voiced his displeasure with Bersatu’s antics. However, that voice became suspiciously silent once he was appointed Boustead Holding’s non-executive chair man.
Speaking of which, Khaled and Maszlee are not the only ones bestowed with high ranking positions by the prime minister. Out of 114 MPs that are friendly with Perikatan Nasional, a whopping 79 of them holds either a ministerial post or a top position in a public body or GLC. This statistic is made the more astonishing considering that this is a government that boasts of having a technocratic cabinet, that being the reason for not giving certain ministerial positions to the MPs.
Even in the systematic practice of nepotism and cronyism that the old BN regime was infamous for, this volume of political appointees by Muhyiddin is absurd and unheard of in our political landscape.
Well, given how rocky the coalition is, it’s fair to say that lust for power and positions was what kept them together in the first place. In fact, this is the first time in our country’s history where a ruling coalition is not registered with the Registrar of Societies!
Just last week, the “muafakat” union of BN and PAS openly rejected the suggestion to officially join the Perikatan Nasional coalition. Meanwhile in the east, GPS chose to only be “friendly” with the coalition’s marriage of convenience but their leaders agree readily enough when positions are offered to them.
For a coalition that brands itself as the saviour of the rakyat, it certainly speaks more about power and positions than actually giving the rakyat a helping hand. Only in Perikatan Nasional’s Malaysia do we have MPs so openly calling for GLC chairman positions as though they are their rightful possessions, and a prime minister that is ever so ready to reward them with such just to stay in power.
Regardless of what happens when the motion of no confidence is read in parliament, one thing is for certain. The majority of the rakyat have no confidence in this power hungry coalition from its very inception. – May 9, 2020.
* Jamie S. reads The Malaysian Insight.
* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.
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Comments
The offering of posts in GLCs and other organizations to MPs and ADUNSs are alarming. Patronage and corruption are at the heights of absurdity.
In fact, left unsaid, is that MPs and ADUNs are holding PM hostage through the threat of defections. Is this confined to the PN government. IMO, no! It can happen to PH government too if they comes into power after GE15. Rogue MPs and ADUNs, in future, can hold any PMs and MBs to ransom. After every GE, there will be chaos, shenanigans and horse trading chicanery.
Two points should be taken seriously.
- Firstly, every MP and ADUN can now demand they be offered posts in public bodies otherwise they threatened to defect to the other side thus vastly inflating their income just for shaking their heels. Arm twisting corruption are rewarded!! Professionals are sidelined, expenditure and costs rocketed and peformance of corporations plunged due to incompetency, mismanagement, corruption, etc and NOT professionally managed to acceptable standards.
- Now MPs and ADUNs can be corrupted and commit acts of larceny WITHOUT fear of being caught and incarcerated for his/her followers and cronies can thereaten to cross over the political devide. For example, neither PH nor PN dared to apprehend the actor of "Sandakan Tapes" as his cartel can pull out of the ruling government to cause its collapse. Perversely, he was richly rewarded instead.
In future, like in some countries, assassination of political rivals may be the norm among governing politicians knowing it will be ignored and hushed up.
For the above NOT to happen .... an ANTI-HOPPING LAW ..... should be tabled urgently!!!
The very much respected Council of Rulers must DEMAND that PM and the Opposition Leader come together to draft a bipartizan ANTI-HOPPING LAW to be effective just before GE15 .... otherwise .... the country may descend into chaos and violence!!!!
Posted 3 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply
Blame it on the PH government NOT enacting the ANTI-HOPPING law!!! If Penang has it at the state level, why not at Federal level too???
Mahathir the culprit who refused ?????
Posted 3 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply