THE appointment of Isa Samad as the acting chairman of Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has raised eyebrows, with some government critics questioning the prime minister’s decision to keep the former chairman of Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) on as as head of another government agency. 

DAP National Political Education director Liew Chin Tong said Isa’s appointment to SPAD did not make sense at all, following his failure at FGV. 

The Kluang MP said Isa had made a mess out of FGV and Felda before that, and to reward his failure with an important position in SPAD would further erode public confidence in the government. 

Liew asked what valuable asset did Isa have that made Prime Minister Najib Razak wish to keep him around, particularly in SPAD, which would put Isa directly or indirectly responsible for projects such as  the East Coast Railway Link (RM55 billion) and KL-Singapore High Speed Rail (RM60 billion).

“Is Isa going to create a bigger mess in his new position where the stakes are equally high, if not higher, than in FGV and Felda?

“Are there any secrets that Isa is helping Najib to keep, which is resulting in Isa’s continued presence in the Najib administration despite Isa not holding a senior post in Umno for more than a decade now,” said Liew.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia policy and strategy bureau chairman Dr Rais Hussin said the removal of Isa Samad from FGV was an admission that he had failed to lead FGV.

“Is this move (to SPAD) meant to ensure that Isa Samad keeps mum? He was a failure in leading FGV, so why did he get transferred to SPAD? Was this move to appease Isa as prime minister Najib Razak no longer has other options, apart from removing him,” Rais told The Malaysian Insight. 

Najib announced earlier today that Isa had resigned of own accord and that he had been rewarded the SPAD post for his services.

Rais also raised questions on whether an independent investigation would be held to sort out the mess in FGV. 

Losers are rewarded 

Parti Amanah Negara’s strategy director Dr Ahmad Dzulkefly said the transfer of Isa from FGV to SPAD would set a trend of rewarding losers.

“Isa’s appointment as SPAD acting chairman is a reward. He led Felda before FGV. Failed people like Isa will not be pulling off miracles in SPAD,” the former Kuala Selangor MP said. 

He said Najib’s move today was also to avoid a bigger scandal at FGV by preventing more disclosures should the row between Isa and suspended FGV CEO Zakaria Arshad continue.

Ahmad said Isa had also been transferred before investigations into him and Zakaria were completed. 

PAS MP Mahfuz Omar, meanwhile, said Isa should be punished for his failures at Felda and FGV. 

“(But) Isa is being rewarded for his failures as the new SPAD chairman,” he said 

He said it would be difficult for Isa’s replacement, Dr Sulaiman Mahbob to bring change to FGV, despite his experience and integrity, while Najib was prime minister 

Mahfuz predicted that SPAD would also end up in trouble under Isa’s leadership. – June 19, 2017.