Putrajaya purges political appointees in GLCs, agencies, embassies

Jahabar Sadiq Jahabar Sadiq Updated 7 years ago · Published on 29 Jun 2018 7:02AM · 4 Comments

The Mahathir administration completes purging political appointees from the Najib Razak era. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, June 29, 2018.


BY tomorrow, a number of high-profile chief executives, directors, chiefs and ambassadors will end their service as the Mahathir government completes purging political appointees from the Najib era.

Putrajaya has set the June 30 deadline to sweep clean remnants of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government although a few have asked for extensions to avoid the embarrassment of being fired. 

Among those ending their term include Tabung Haji chief executive Johan Abdullah, Tenaga Nasional Berhad chairman Leo Moggie and several directors and top officials from the utility. 

“Saturday is the deadline for the others who have yet to go. Some are asking for extensions pleading succession issues,” a source told The Malaysian Insight. 

“I guess they don’t want the ignominy of being fired so quickly,” he added, saying there has been representations to keep some of these executives. 

It is understood that the top officials of two government-linked investment companies (GLICs) are expected to step down as their replacements have already been identified. 

Several top bankers in GLC banks are also being asked to leave, a source added. 

Malaysia’s ambassador to Indonesia Zahrain Mohamad Hashim is among political appointees set to leave tomorrow. He was elected as Bayan Baru MP in the 2008 polls but left PKR to join Umno in 2010. Former prime minister Najib Razak made him ambassador after the 2013 general elections. 

Zahrain was conspicuously absent during Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s current visit to Jakarta.

A number of executives and top officials have already seen their contracts end without renewal while others have agreed to resign.

Among them are Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd chief executive Mohd Badlisham Ghazali and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission chairman Dr Halim Shafie, its chief operating officer Dr Mazlan Ismail and chief officer for network security, new media monitoring, compliance and advocacy Dr Fadhlullah Suhaimi. 

Petronas chairman Mohd Sidek Hassan and non-executive director Omar Mustapha Ong also ended their stint at the national oil company this past week.  β€“ June 29, 2018.

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Comments

  • Yes, no mercy for BN political appointments. All must be given the boot, no extensions for face-saving.

    Posted 7 years ago by Savari CJ · Reply

  • This is 'cari makan' culture in Bolehland. Sack everyone and anyone who's just warming his or her stool and purge anyone who's not contributing to the business. What's ex-Chief Sec doing in and Oil & Gas company as it's 'Chair'man? On top of this he get a FAT cheque plus double pensions etc ..... for NOT DOING ANYTHING!!! Please stop this 'free cari makan' culture and purge, sack everyone who's on this list......at least excess money from this savings can be channelled towards the Rakyats benefits ...like build more open space parks and grren lungs around the Sub-ubs! We will be facing with an aging population soon and we need green lungs and space for folks to gather and spent quality time with friends and families. Look at what the lady Major in Surabaya has done to her City!!!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Crishan Veera · Reply

  • A cushy job with fat salary plus perks. These fellows have been enjoying life at taxpayers' expense for far too long. Until they join the employment queue they won't appreciate the tough life of the ordinary people.

    Posted 7 years ago by Henry Mancini Jr · Reply

  • Zahrain Mohamad Hashim was elected, left PKR to join Umno and made an ambassador to Indonesia by Najib Razak. That makes him a katak and a political appointee. His absence during Tun's recent visit must be as notable as it is embarrassing not that he has anything to hide. Still his is a shameful and inglorious ending for one greedy opportunist.

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply