JOHOR DAP chairman Liew Chin Tong criticised the Government for appointing former minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof as Boustead Holdings Bhd chairman.
“As the former deputy defence minister with inside knowledge of the workings of Boustead, which is part of Armed Forces Fund (LTAT), I am appalled by the appointment.
“It is the new ‘scheme of things’ in play which should not have happened. The term was used by former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin around the time of the Sheraton coup to distribute Government-linked companies’ (GLC) positions to garner support from MPs,” he said, in a statement.
Yesterday, Boustead announced that Redzuan, a vice president of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), has been appointed as its new independent non-executive chairman, effective yesterday.
He took up the post following Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin’s resignation on Aug 5, after helming the company since May 1, 2020.
Khaled, a UMNO vice president, quit the post following his party’s directive to all its members to relinquish their Government and GLC posts to force Muhyiddin’s resignation.
Touching on the matter, Liew said that during Pakatan Harapan’s reign, the coalition had made it clear that Boustead should be managed by professionals.
Unlike other GLCs, he added, Boustead was unique as it represented the interest of the Malaysian Armed forces and stressed that the latter’s views must be taken into consideration for such an important appointment.
“Pakatan tabled the Defence White Paper hoping to transform not only our Armed Forces but also Boustead and LTAT but the plan fell through due to the Sheraton Move.
“As it is, Boustead and its subsidiary Boustead Shipyard are still struggling to deal with the RM9 bil Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project which is now in limbo.
“And Redzuan won’t be able to resolve the crisis, going by his reputation. His appointment is a mockery to the Armed Forces and it should be rescinded immediately,” Liew added.
Boustead Shipyard is embroiled in a mega financial scandal after it failed to deliver six littoral combat ships (LCS) to the Government since 2019, despite getting RM5.94 bil in payment out of the RM9 bil total cost.
During the Pakatan’s administration, it was revealed that RM1 bil from the RM5.94 bil paid out could not be accounted for.
Netizens mock appointment
Despite the controversy, the Government decided to allow Boustead to continue with the project, claiming many Bumiputera vendors and workers would be affected if the project was rescinded from the company.
On related matters, netizens took to social media to pan Redzuan’s appointment to the important post.
User Jack Tan mocked:
(After making invisible ships, Boustead will now make invisible flying cars)
User Mohd Nazirul Ariff added:
(We are done for. Money from LTAT’s savings will now fly away like his flying car)
Netizen Tarmizi Abm bemoaned that the Government keeps appointing politicians into key GLC posts despite having many young capable talents around.
User Kishan Raj remarked: “Not buying stocks of any company with politicians on board.” – Jan 4, 2022.
Photo credit: Malay Mail
