PUTRAJAYA must stop appointing politicians as heads of government-linked companies (GLC) as it is unethical, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) said today.

The electoral watchdog was commenting on the appointment of Alor Gajah member of Parliament Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof as the independent non-executive chairman of Boustead Holdings Berhad.

It said that such political appointments could also be construed as a means to solicit support for the government.

“Even though the Bersatu member has been touted as having much experience in public and private companies, his political affiliation and role as a lawmaker makes his appointment circumspect, and it can be seen as yet another case of the government soliciting support from MPs through unethical means.

“It presents the possibility of systemic abuse, and this will only come at the expense of the country’s development and the economic performance of such agencies,” the group said in a statement.

Appointing politicians to such roles will also divert their attention as lawmakers who serve the public, Bersih said.

“More importantly, it is the role of an MP in Parliament to check the government, including the performance of all GLCs under the supervision of the executive. Therefore, MPs should not hold positions in GLCs.”

The group is urging the government to enact a GLC Act to prohibit political appointments as well as setting up a Parliamentary Select Committee to scrutinise such appointments.

“This ailment has plagued Malaysia for decades and, to progress, we need to put an end to such abuse of power.”

The appointment of politicians to such roles will also prevent the GLCs from having professionals who can better contribute to corporate governance and better economic performance, it added.

Boustead Group, which is the investment arm of the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) said, Redzuan’s vast experience in both corporate and public offices would elevate the company to new heights.

Redzuan previously served as the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives minister from 2018 to 2020, and later as the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) from 2020 to 2021.

He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom, and began his career as an engineer with Esso Malaysia Sdn Bhd, and later served in Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd.

Besides Redzuan, other lawmakers who have held GLC positions are:

* Mahdzir Khalid (Umno) – Tenaga Nasional Berhad

* Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub (Umno) – Malaysian Palm Oil Board

* Ahmad Nazlan Idris (Umno) – Malaysian Rubber Board

* Mohd Salim Sharif (Umno) – Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority

* Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Umno) – Prasarana Malaysia

* Ramli Mohd Nor (Umno) – AmanahRaya

* Jalaluddin Alias (Umno) – UDA Holdings

* Hasbullah Osman (Umno) – Syarikat Perumahan Negara

* Ahmad Fadhil Shaari (PAS) – Skills Development Fund Corporation

* Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz (PAS) – Lembaga Kemajuan Kelantan Selatan

* Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli (PAS) – Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara

* Che Alias Hamid (PAS) – Kemaman Port Authority

* Nik Muhammaed Zawawi (PAS) – Farmers’ Organisation Authority

* Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS) – Construction Industry Development Board

* Wilson Ugak Kumbong (GPS) – National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

* Lukanisman Awang Sauni (GPS) – Sustainable Energy Development Authority

Apart from MPs, other appointments seen as political include that of MCA vice president Tan Teik Cheng’s as head of the Penang Port Commission and Senator Razali Idris’ heading of the Development Authority of Terengganu Tengah. – January 4, 2022.