BUTTERWORTH: The government will never appoint any individual to key positions in government-linked companies (GLCs) or regulatory bodies if he or she would not be able to serve the organisation well.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said any appointment made was based on guideline by the cabinet and upon the advice of the prime minister.

"Just because an individual holds political position or is a member of parliament or state assemblyman, it doesn't mean that he or she cannot be appointed to helm GLC or regulatory bodies.

"Instead, the individual should be judged based on his or her background, qualification and experience.

"This is a normal action that has been done. But we will not appoint any individual, who will not contribute to the organisation, to lead the said organisation," he told newsmen here today.

He was asked to comment on DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke's statement on the issue of political appointments, saying critics should not confused GLCs with regulatory bodies.

The Transport Minister had said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's administration had kept its promise not to appoint politicians to key GLCs and companies listed on Bursa Malaysia.

He was met after presenting house keys to recipients of the Skim Perumahan Rakyat Perda at the Perda headquarters here this afternoon.

The new housing project is located at Kuala Sungai Pinang in Balik Pulau.

Zahid was also asked to comment on the appointment of Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki as the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman after various quarters criticised his appointment as a political appointee rather than based on merits.

Coming to Asyraf's defence, Zahid, who is Rural and Regional Development Minister, said Asyraf was a banker by profession and an expert in Islamic banking.

"So, he is not only a politician but that was his profession before he joined politics.

"It is a waste, with his experience and qualification (a doctorate in Islamic banking) if we do not rope him in to jointly help develop Mara.

"So, with his appointment, it is hoped that he can work together with the deputy minister and the secretary-general of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry to help Mara," he said.

It was reported that an anti-graft activist had criticised the appointment of Umno's Asyraf as the new Mara chairman, saying it raises "a lot of red flags".

Edmund Terence Gomez had said that the government should not have appointed an Umno politician to head one of the most important government-linked companies in the country.

Meanwhile, Zahid also confirmed the appointment of Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad as the new Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) chairman.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/893104/judge-appointments-based-background-qualification-and-experience-says