Free Of Manifesto Shackles Pn Resumes Patronage With Greater Intensity

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Fueled by anger at a coalition that came to power through political manoeuvring instead of the ballot box, critics have zoomed in on the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government's appointment of politicians to government-linked companies (GLCs) as another example of the coalition rearing its ugly head
The practice is not exclusive to PN and represents an entrenched political culture that even the previous Pakatan Harapan found difficult to shake off
Harapan, which had long criticised the appointment of politicians to head GLCs and government entities, initially walked the talk with several notable appointments of technocrats, for example, banker Hasnita Hashim as the Mara chairperson and ex-diplomat Noor Farida Mohd Ariffin as the Human Resources Development Fund chairperson
But the coalition eventually wavered as pressure grew to reward political supporters, such as the appointments of DAP's Ean Yong Hian Wah as the Port Klang Authority chairperson and Wong Kah Woh as the Sustainable Energy Development Authority of Malaysia (Seda) chairperson
"It is not a surprise or abnormal. It's been normal since the longest of time," said political analyst Jeniri Amir (above)
Jeniri said GLCs should not be seen as a gold mine or a political tool and hopes the politicians that lead them will be kept in check
"I hope the board of directors in each GLC ensure that the appointees follow the company principles and policies. They must not become yes-men," he said
Why are governments tempted to appoint politicians to GLCs if the risk to good governance is so apparent
Political scientist Wong Chin Huat said it boils down to power
Even when Harapan was reluctant in making political appointments, grumbles of discontent were apparently as supporters complained about not being appreciated
Such discontent could threaten to spiral for an even more fragile coalition such as PN, which was put together with the sole intention of overthrowing the Harapan government
"Putting them on the government's payroll is to buy off Parliament to give PN unchecked powers," Wong told Malaysiakini
He pointed out that PN has a razor-thin majority which he estimates to be around 114 seats in the 222-member Dewan Rakyat
Wong was also of the view that the PN components, led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, have a parasitic relationship with each other
"Driven by power, they control him as much as he controls them," Wong, who is attached with Sunway University, said
Signs of PN setting into motion its slew of political appointments had been apparent for weeks where several professionals were removed from various GLCs and government agencies
However, it was PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan (photo) who confirmed that Muhyiddin intended to appoint all MPs who do not yet have a government position as heads of GLCs
Furthermore, Universiti Putra Malaysia's political science lecturer Mohamad Izani Mohd Zain pointed out that PN is not tied to a manifesto, having come into power without going to the ballot box
"Unlike Harapan, it (no political appointees) was in the (Harapan) manifesto but they did it anyway," he said
Without a manifesto, this is one criticism that PN won't face. It also means the coalition can go on its campaign of political appointments without restraints
Izani said considering political realities, a balance needs to be struck
"There should be a balance between the appointments of politicians and non-politicians as chairpersons of GLCs, but it's the prerogative of the prime minister (to decide)," he said
However, Izani cautioned that people will be watching
"These MPs will not only be scrutinised by the opposition but also the people," he said
Meanwhile, Business Ethics Institute of Malaysia chairperson S Haridas maintained that the appointments of MPs to helm GLCs are very regressive
"Because the people being appointed do not have any experience running organisations, therefore, they will be there trying to get the best out for themselves
"I think it's not keeping up with all the anti-corruption matters, governance, and transparency that the previous government had talked about
"I don't think what is going on is helpful to Malaysia," he said
The morale of GLCs' employees, Haridas said, are affected when they see people who have no experience in respective matters heading the companies
"What do you expect from PAS MPs who head GLCs?" he said. - Mkini

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