BARISAN Nasional never promised to stop political appointments to government-linked companies, said Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan.

“As such, we cannot be judged. Such appointments are a necessity and reality as parties need to manage their politics,” he told a webinar today.

“Political appointments are not necessarily bad, and it remains to be seen whether they will affect the administration. The opposition will scrutinise this, of course.”  

Shahril, however, indicated he was uncomfortable about political appointments in principle.

Pakatan Harapan had promised to end political appointments in GLCs, but failed to fulfil the pledge during its 21-month administration.

Shahril, who is also Umno Youth deputy chief, was responding to a question on the higher number of political appointees to GLCs under the Perikatan Nasional government.

The webinar was hosted by Ideas, and moderated by the institute’s Aira Azhari. Also speaking in the session was Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

Of late, a growing number of PN lawmakers have been appointed to head GLCs.

Analysts and critics said Muhyiddin Yassin has to do this to consolidate support, as his position as prime minister is shaky.

The appointments have been red-flagged by critics, who warned that they may lead to abuse of power.

Several former Umno leaders have ended up in court after their stewardship of GLCs.

Former vice-president Mohd Isa Abdul Samad’s trial over criminal breach of trust and bribery is expected to begin next Wednesday.

The former Negri Sembilan menteri besar was appointed by the Barisan Nasional administration to head Felda in 2010.

Shahril urged the public to “give it time”.

“It’s too soon to say whether this will affect the administration.”

He said managing politics is very important for the Malay-majority PN government.

“The obvious thing is not to showcase policies that bolster the stereotype that this is a single-race government.

“It will be tested in the budget and various policies.”

Although Pakatan Harapan was more multiracial, he said, the former ruling pact failed to shake off the perception that it marginalised Malays.

“PH was led by a Malay prime minister, but the sentiment was that it was making anti-Malay policies. Ministers from DAP were allocating money for independent Chinese schools.”

Nik Nazmi of PKR said former finance minister Lim Guan Eng also allocated funds for tahfiz schools, “but when he gave out the money, it was politicised”. – May 15, 2020.