Anwar slams plum posts for Umno loyalists

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today slammed the government for putting former ministers and Umno officials on the gravy train, pointing out that several of them had been appointed as advisers with ministerial ranking and to senior positions in government-linked companies (GLCs).

Besides being a drain on public funds, appointing former ministers as advisors was an indictment on the quality of the current Cabinet, said the opposition leader.

For example, he noted that former Information Minister Rais Yatim was now an adviser on social and cultural affairs in the Prime Minister’s Department, managing a portfolio that normally comes under the Tourism Minister.

“If the Tourism Minister cannot do his job, then he is not qualified. There is no need to appoint an adviser,” he said at a press conference at the Parliament lobby, flanked by other opposition leaders.

Other former ministers who have been appointed as special advisers are Datuk Jamaluddin Jarjis and Datuk Shahrizat Jalil.

Last week, The Malaysian Insider reported that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will be appointing Umno stalwarts to GLCs and government agencies as a reward for agreeing to give up their seats in GE13 and as a form of compensation in lieu of a position as minister or deputy minister.

So far, MCA’s Datuk Ng Yen Yen has been given the post of Tourism Malaysia head, former Johor MB Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Othman has been made chairman of Sime Darby, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop has been appointed deputy chairman of Khazanah Nasional and Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim was given the chairmanship of Tabung Haji.

Several more Umno politicians will be given plum posts in Felcra, Mara, Telekom Malaysia and the Langkawi Development Authority.

Anwar wanted to know how much public funds would be used to pay the salaries of these Umno politicians appointed to GLCs and government agencies. 

He said Najib needs to explain the rationale for setting aside all these senior positions for Umno loyalists.