DAP's political appointees in regulatory bodies to stay on - Tan

DAP has decided its members and leaders will not quit their position in regulatory bodies parked under all levels of government, said party president Tan Kok Wai.

Tan (above) said this was the consensus taken by the DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) and all parliamentarians a few days ago.

This, he said, is because Pakatan Harapan was the legitimate government given the mandate to rule in the 2018 general election and DAP leaders need to work hard as long as they still hold the posts.

"We need to be accountable to the country instead of the (Perikatan Nasional) government. We need to perform," said Tan, who is also the Cheras MP.

"We don't have to quit. I take the position as we are appointed by the legitimate and rightful government. This is the right thing to do," he told Malaysiakini in an interview.

This included his position as Malaysia's special envoy to China as appointed by the cabinet on July 25, 2018.

Tan said his tenure will end on July 24.

He said thus far he had no problems performing his duty as the special envoy and the chairperson of Malaysia China Business Council (MCBC) during the political impasse in the past week.

Tan disagreed with Tommy Thomas's (below) move to resign as the attorney-general on Feb 28 as the latter had the duty to uphold justice for the country. 

He pointed out that graft cases involving politicians and high ranking officials are still under investigation, according to Tan.

"He should not have resigned. The move will affect the confidence of the people in the judiciary," he said.

He also commended Election Commission (EC) chief Azhar Harun Azizan who said he would not resign amidst talks of a possible general election during the political upheaval.

Tan, however, said the new government can terminate them before their contract expires.

Political appointments involving DAP leaders include National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health chairperson Alice Lau, Sustainable Energy Development Authority chairperson Wong Kah Woh, Port Klang Authority chief Ean Yong Hian Wah and Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) chairperson Wong Tack.

Besides the political appointment in federal regulatory bodies, Tan expects the state governments that have fallen or on the verge, will drop political appointments made during Harapan's administration, including local councillors and villages heads. - Mkini