THE recent appointment of Asia Mobility Sdn Bhd (Asia Mobiliti) as one of the two companies for Selangor’s Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT) pilot project has sparked controversy, particularly concerning Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
Asia Mobiliti CEO Ramachandran Muniandy is also Yeoh’s husband.
Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin criticised Yeoh for what he perceived as hypocrisy, given her past criticisms of crony capitalism under the previous BN administration.
“One of the Pakatan Harapan leaders who tried to show that she was sanctimonious, and morally superior, was actually Yeoh.
“While she had vehemently criticised crony capitalism in the previous BN administration, recent events suggest that she is now facing similar accusations herself,” said Khairy, speaking in the latest episode of his Keluar Sekejap podcast.
Moreover, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari responded by stating that his administration had nothing to hide regarding the matter and was willing to provide appointment details upon request.
Selangor executive councillor Ng Sze Han clarified that the companies were selected through a Request for Proposal process, not via a tender.
Khairy’s podcast co-host Shahril Hamdan proposed implementing a ministerial code of conduct to enhance transparency. Such a code would require ministers to declare any business dealings involving their spouses, aiming to prevent conflicts of interest, nepotism and cronyism.
“Mandating public disclosure of cabinet members’ spouses’ business affairs would help hold the former accountable,” Shahril asserted.
“I’m sure Ramachandran is a legitimate and well-deserving businessman, but the issue is that he is a minister’s husband. So how do you manage both sides? He deserves a career as well.”
Khairy agreed with Shahril’s proposal, stressing that politicians should not involve themselves in government decisions related to their spouses’ business affairs. He recalled instances where ministers recused themselves from meetings discussing business deals involving their spouses, a practice documented in meeting minutes.
“This was a common practice and was included in the minutes of meeting.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching described calls for Yeoh to resign over the matter as unfair. Yeoh has yet to issue a statement regarding the controversy. – May 31, 2024
