DAIM Zainuddin has questioned the appointment of Perikatan Nasional (PN) politicians to top posts in government-linked companies (GLCs) and agencies, asking if these appointees are capable of carrying out their tasks.

“The main issues here are whether these appointees have the background and qualification to be leading these bodies, and secondly, whether they are able to divide their time and yet commit themselves fully to the tasks they have been given?

“People also question why the government is intent on enriching the MPs? Why is this government putting so much wealth and power into the hands of a privileged, unqualified few?” he was quoted as saying in an interview with The Malaysian Reserve today.

Daim also said that it is out of the norm to have so many political appointments.

The former finance minister said the people saw these appointments as being done very blatantly with the sole intention of buying political support.

“We have a truly bloated cabinet of more than 70 people, including those appointed as special ambassadors with ministerial ranks.

“And at the latest count there were 13 political appointees as chairmen of various government companies and bodies. These do not include those appointed to the board of directors.”

He said that if the PN government wants to help the MPs and retain their loyalty and support, there were many ways of doing this without inviting criticism.

“And definitely not at the expense of the well-being of the GLCs and GLICs.”

It was reported that almost 80% of PN’s 113 MPs have been given positions in the cabinet or in government agencies.

In GLCs and other statutory bodies, these political appointees have largely replaced technocrats and corporate figures appointed by the previous Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.

Daim, who is a close aide of Dr Mahathir Mohamad, also said the PN government is a totally Malay government, adding that non-Malay parties like MIC and MCA were just token appointments.

He said the PN coalition of Umno, PAS and Bersatu were all Malay-based parties competing for the same Malay seats.

“I am not sure how three competing coalition members will be able to satisfy their members on the ground.

“Will these push and pull from the ground destabilise the government machinery and interrupt the multi-ministerial initiatives planned for the people?

“If they cannot work as a team, how can the government’s plans to rehabilitate the economy and uplift the people’s lives be effective?”

He added that while Umno and PAS seemed to have forged a pretty tight partnership, it is still early as the next general election is three years away.

“Come GE15, will they still be so close when each will be competing for seats in the Malay areas?

“I do not know whether Bersatu reconciliation is on the cards. It is up to the members to decide,” he Daim added.

Bersatu is currently split as its founders Dr Mahathir and Muhyiddin Yassin are fighting for control over the party.

With both veering away in opposite directions, party leaders said the rift between the duo has split the party ahead of its crucial internal polls.

The outcome of the elections will determine whether Bersatu stays with the PN ruling administration or whether it will rejoin PH, now the opposition. – May 22, 2020.