THE appointment of Subang MP Wong Chen as the non-executive chairman of Malaysia Debt Ventures Bhd (MDV) effective last Tuesday (May 23) has raised concern amongst electoral watchdog Bersih.
Bersih stated that they do not question Wong’s qualifications or his ability to head such an enterprise.
However, they are curious if there is such a dearth of talent in our country that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim must appoint Wong.
“Wong has proven to be an able MP, he has also been appointed to chair the parliamentary committee on international relations and trade, in addition to being the chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPG) on political financing,” said Bersih.
Elected representatives should be excluded as candidates for positions in government-linked companies (GLCs), though exceptions could be made for key statutory bodies that oversee and direct government policies, according to Bersih.
Bersih noted that while Wong was reviewed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), such nominations should also be examined by the relevant parliamentary committees.
As these organisations are stewards of public money and not private firms, the examination by parliamentary committees would ensure that only qualified individuals are nominated to crucial positions in GLCs and statutory boards.
Bersih also pointed out that Economic Minister Rafizi Ramli’s recent announcement for qualified candidates to apply to be CEOs of two GLCs under his ministry, Teraju and Peneraju, should be emulated and legislated to be part of the new SOP for appointments to GLCs and statutory boards.
“The PM must seize this opportunity to end the decades of political appointments and patronage that have in the past ended in corruption and mismanagement of these GLCs.
“Let the appointment process be open and transparent so that qualified Malaysians who want to serve their country through GLCs and statutory bodies can apply,” — May 25, 2023
Main photo credit: Malaysiakini
