THE reappointment of Machang UMNO division chief Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub as the Felcra chairman announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has sparked a debate on social media, with users blasting the Pakatan Harapan-led (PH) unity government for one more u-turn in its policies.
Only a few days before his reappointment, the unity government headed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim issued a statement saying Putrajaya will terminate the contracts of the chairs and directors (political appointees) of government-linked companies (GLCs) and bodies who were political appointments.
This was hailed as the right move by Twitter users and PH supporters.
But with Ahmad Jazlan back to Felcra, some are saying this Government is a joke or that the country is back to where it was before the 15th General Election (GE15).
One user, blizzer @blizzer11 said “PH scolded the previous government for handing out political appointments. When the new government is formed with UMNO, in the blink of an eye UMNO does the same thing (as before). What are you (netizens) angry about? Umno also got a cabinet position as a reward for the support. #reformasiapamacamni.”
#ICYMI Ahmad Jazlan pernah dilantik sebagai Pengerusi FELCRA pada 1 Oktober tahun lalu.#malaysiagazette #FELCRA https://t.co/JB0kAgwQ5C
— Malaysia Gazette (@MalaysiaGazette) December 17, 2022
Tagging the new Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli in a tweet, a user, Dr Pokok cheap political demagoguery @jomlocalfarm asked the latter to answer why Zahid has reappointed Ahmad Jazlan at the post.
“The people are tired of the trouble caused by Zahid Hamidi.”
Tolong jawab juga isu Zahid melantik semula political appointee Ahmad Jazlan. Rakyat dah penat hadap sindiran akibat Zahid Hamidi ni
— Dr Pokok | ❌ cheap political demagoguery (@jomlocalfarm) December 17, 2022
Some were not against the move by Zahid, saying, if a person is capable to handle such an entity, they should be appointed.
User @ifahmiDLYD asked whether politicians who are highly educated are not eligible to hold GLC positions.
“His sin because he is a politician? If he is qualified to hold a position based on his experience and education, he has no problem.
“Ministers have to monitor the appointed politicians to ensure that they are not corrupt or misusing their powers before they can be appointed,” the user said.
Tolong jawab juga isu Zahid melantik semula political appointee Ahmad Jazlan. Rakyat dah penat hadap sindiran akibat Zahid Hamidi ni
— Dr Pokok | ❌ cheap political demagoguery (@jomlocalfarm) December 17, 2022
Commenting on the appointment of Ahmad Jazlan, Zahid said, “The appointment is carried out following new regulation….the formalities associated with the appointment will be carried out by ministry secretary-general Ramlan Harun soon.”
Zahid also said the decision was made after taking into account the wishes of the representatives of Koperasi Peserta-Peserta Felcra Malaysia Berhad (KPFMB).
Furthermore, Ahmad Jazlan was one of the political appointees to GLCs who had served as Felcra chairperson after the formation of a new government following the GE15. He was appointed to the position on Oct 3, 2017. — Dec 17, 2022
Main photo credit: The Star
