Topic: GLC/Political Appointments
Coverage by: Free Malaysia Today
PETALING JAYA: An anti-graft NGO has raised concerns that politicians will once again be promised ministerial positions, GLC appointments and cash in return for support to form a new government, following Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation yesterday.
In a statement, the Center to Combat Corruption & Cronyism (C4) said if this is how the next government is formed, history would repeat itself.
“If this were to happen, and the next government is formed on this basis, we risk becoming a failed state in the coming years due to incompetent leaders leading our country once again.
“What is even more worrying is that there is a real possibility of kleptocrats coming back into power and meddling with ongoing court cases. This would be a devastating outcome for our country,” it said.
Yesterday, several MPs received calls from various parties, seeking support for their prime ministerial candidate, following Muhyiddin’s resignation.
One of them, Julau MP Larry Sng, said the number of calls he received – including from phone numbers he didn’t recognise – had “increased” over the last 24 hours.
C4 urged political leaders to learn from their past mistakes saying, “This is a chance for them to reclaim lost trust and reshape the country’s future together.”
The NGO urged the incoming government to take urgent measures to carry out 11 reforms.
Key among the 11 are reforms in law by bringing back the Parliamentary Services Act and the Independent Police Complaints of Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill 2019.
C4 also urged the government to pass a political funding law, asset declaration law, public procurement law and whistleblowing law.
Political appointments as a form of buying loyalty and giving rewards must also end.
“Halt political appointments in GLCs and statutory bodies, and allow for highly qualified persons to lead these.
“The use of politically-linked foundations to carry out projects for the public using public funds must be stopped. Instead, these funds should be channelled to government agencies to cater to public needs on the ground.
