KUALA LUMPUR: The government has no issue with political appointments to posts in government-linked companies (GLCs), as long as they are qualified.

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said any such appointment must be done based on merit.

The problems, he said, occur only when the appointments are made as a "gift" or "reward".

"We have seen before that those appointed were not members or experts in a particular field, therefore it raised various questions with the appointment.

"If we want to appoint someone to the post, we must see if the person has the merit and hass the ability to handle the task given.

"If the person ticks all the requirements needed for the post, he/she will be able to help the organisation," he said when met after handing out "Back to School" aid to 271 primary and secondary students in his constituency.

Fahmi also called on critics to differentiate between political appointments for GLCs and statutory bodies.

"As long as the appointment is for statutory bodies and not GLCs, it should not be an issue as it is not profit based."

Fahmi was asked to comment on political appointments in GLCs even though previously Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had stated that the unity government would not adopt the concept of political appointments.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had previously said the appointment of members or professionals representing political parties into GLCs was scrutinised by the unity government secretariat.

Zahid had said each party that formed the government will consult the secretariat first before any proposal for appointments can be finalised.

Political appointment became an issue after former Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki was appointed as the new Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman, while former Machang member of parliament Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub was made Felcra Bhd chairman.

Also appointed was former Amanah vice-president Datuk Husam Musa as Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB) chairman.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/893082/fahmi-no-issue-political-appointees-if-they-are-qualified-nsttv