Commentary Mustafa K. Anuar

IT feels like a bad old theatrical play being performed by a relatively new set of actors, which is disappointing as well as tiresome.

We are talking about the unity government aping what previous governments, particularly the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration, did: appointing government politicians to helm government-linked companies (GLCs) and federal statutory bodies.

It is almost comical to see Bersatu vice-president Mohd Radzi Md Jidin insisting to know how many political appointments have been made so far, as if he was miffed that his party’s template had been used by the present government without its permission or knowledge.

The question that he rightly raised in the Dewan Rakyat came on the heels of the appointment of former Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki as Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman, effective March 10.

The Putrajaya MP wanted a list that would include political appointments for institutions such as Mara, Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and Felcra as well as appointments to public universities.

Soon after this controversy, PKR’s Balik Pulau MP, Bakhtiar Wan Chik, was appointed chairman of MyCreative Ventures Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Minister of Finance Incorporated.

It looks like the unity government is dead set on giving us all an unmistakable sense of déjà vu.

Incidentally, film censorship under the watch of the current administration is another example that gives Malaysians that familiar feeling.

The previous PN government, of which Bersatu is a member, was known to have filled the top posts in GLCs and government-linked investment companies (GLICs) with ruling politicians in the effort to consolidate its position, which smacks of political patronage. Government budget swelled as a result to the detriment of the ordinary people.

It was reported that such a PN practice involved 140 political appointees in 39 organisations, including the Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Felda and Mara.

Of course, it’s not laughable when the unity government, particularly PKR, just did what it roundly condemned when it was in the opposition.

This is especially after the newly formed unity government had taken the positive step last December to terminate all PN’s political appointees in these bodies. In other words, the present government has taken an unabashed U-turn in its policy.

That’s why there is already criticism against the current government on social media, saying the government does not do what it preaches (“cakap tak serupa bikin”).

Reform-minded Malaysians and civil society groups are predictably upset over such negative development that runs counter to structural and meaningful reform.

Bersih, the civil society group that promotes free and fair elections, has rightly argued against such political appointments, adding that lawmakers and state assemblymen should focus on policy-making and serving their constituencies, and not delve into GLCs that require a certain degree of professionalism.

The GLCs and other federal statutory bodies should be headed by individuals who mostly have expertise, skills and experience so as to ensure that they work towards the desired corporate objectives, corporate dynamism and at the same time, remain financially solvent.

We must be mindful that the GLCs are the custodians of public wealth and resources.

Such a professional requirement would also help prevent abuse of power, a conflict of interest and possibly corruption that could emerge from political appointments in such organisations.

Political expediency must not be the required qualification for GLC key positions. – March 14, 2023.