Nothing Wrong In Doing Pro Bono Work For Govt

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“If they know a new government is being formed, with Umno in, ‘Why don’t you (Umno MPs) join in now, why don’t you join us now, rather than you join later?’ I think if we did that, a majority will leave Umno (with just) 10-20 (MPs), with just Najib (Abdul Razak) and his people (left behind). Especially if there are positions. If not a minister, then chairperson of a GLC.”
These infamous words were the transcript of an audio recording that surfaced after the backdoor government was formed in 2020.
The voice of the man uttering these words resembled that of former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin who led MPs in ousting the Pakatan Harapan government.
Although the recording made its rounds at that time, he has not denied making the statement. But all MPs joined in supporting him, and his government found themselves in various positions ensuring additional income in addition to parliamentary allowances.
While the debate rages on the appointment of current prime minister Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter Nurul Izzah as a special adviser, it is noteworthy to go back to the past.
Having taken the stand that there would be no longer political appointees to government agencies, Anwar is now getting flak with charges of nepotism, but his daughter’s services come gratis - free of charge.
Many have asked how she was chosen especially since she has neither the qualifications nor the experience in finance.
Among them are former ministers and political leaders who were previously instrumental in enriching their colleagues in the party.
Did anyone raise an eyebrow when former ministers (including the wife of a minister) were appointed as ambassadors many years ago? While there are so many career diplomats, what special qualifications did they have to merit their appointments?
After the 14th general election, the “council of elders” selected heads of government agencies based on merit and experience. But in 2000, they were unceremoniously removed by the backdoor government to make way for cronies.
If one reads the annual reports of GLCs and government agencies, one would not have missed noticing the number of “not so qualified” people on boards of some of these companies and agencies.
People who are appointed to agencies must have some knowledge of their operations. For example, people who do not know which is the port side or the starboard of a ship should have no business serving in agencies supervising port operations.
Past experience
Before I proceed, let me declare that I, too, had offered to do pro bono work for the government.
In 2008, the Tourism Ministry commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to prepare a special report on one of its companies - Pempena Sdn Bhd. It was a catalogue of shame because many of its subsidiaries were bleeding.
In 2011, I was posted as The Sun's correspondent in London. I wrote to Pempena, requesting to be appointed as a director of the Awana Chelsea Restaurant (which it owned) after having done research into why it had incurred losses running into millions of ringgit.
The restaurant was then managed by a Malaysian-born and the company secretary was his Singapore-born wife. I conducted searches at the Companies House – the equivalent of the Companies Commission of Malaysia and discovered that two Malaysians were on the board – a Malaysian lawyer and his brother-in-law - appointed by the minister.
There were no records of meetings or approvals. Like Nurul Izzah, I too did not have qualifications or experience, but I have a law degree and I know how to read accounts, identify problematic areas and offer solutions.
At that time, I had 40 years of experience in journalism and spent a good part of my career doing investigative journalism.
Hence, I wrote to Pempena: “I am willing to once again, in the interest of the country, offer my services, not to manage the restaurant, but to safeguard the government’s investments and see how the bleeding of the restaurant can be stopped.
“Let me assure you that I don’t want a sen or penny, and not even a free meal at the restaurant. I will be the majority shareholders’ eyes and ears. That’s all.”
My offer was spurned by the board and that of Tourism Malaysia for reasons better known to them. The restaurant was subsequently sold with another RM15 million down the drain.
If people volunteer their services and ask for nothing in return, what’s the beef of the critics of Nurul Izzah’s appointment? Unlike the Muhyiddin appointees who were highly paid (some up to RM30,000 a month), Nurul Izzah costs nothing to the government.
Anwar would not have appointed her if she did not have the capability of handling the responsibilities in that role.
Like Nurul Izzah and I, there are hundreds of Malaysians who have knowledge and experience in their respective areas.
Anwar and the government must tap their resources in enhancing the government machinery and its workings. But do choose them on merit – not because they or members of their family have done favours or made donations to the party. - Mkini
R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who writes on bread-and-butter issues. Comments: [email protected]
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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