A CIVIL society group today urged the government to review the practice of appointing controversial figures to head key government agencies or as GLC office-bearers.

Centre For A Better Tommorow (Cenbet) said appointments could send the wrong message about public accountability.

“Appointments to key positions in government agencies and GLC should not be treated as a game of musical chairs.

“We are deeply concerned about how Isa Samad has been made acting chairman of the Public Land Transport Commission (SPAD), even as controversy lingers over his stewardship of Felda Global Ventures (FGV),” it said in a statement today.

Yesterday, Isa and his wife were questioned by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) for four hours.

 He had resigned as FGV chairman two days earlier and was appointed to SPAD. 

MACC is investigating alleged power abuse and corruption in FGV after its chief executive officer Zakaria Arshad and three other senior company executives were suspended pending an internal audit on deals between FGV subsidiary Delima Oil Products Sdn Bhd and Afghan company Safitex. 

Zakaria responded with allegations of graft and corporate wrongdoing in FGV and was subsequently interviewed by the MACC for six hours in Putrajaya.

MACC also raided the FGV head office and confiscated boxes of company files and documents earlier this month.

Cenbet said although Isa had not been convicted of any crime, he should have not accepted the appointment until MACC completed its probe.

“Such a move is not an admission of guilt. On the contrary, it would demonstrate commitment to upholding integrity and good governance – values which Cenbet promotes.” it said. – June 22, 2017.