Bersatu rep questions Khaled’s appointment as YPG chair

Bersatu's Permas assemblyperson Che Zakaria Mohd Salleh has questioned why former Johor menteri besar Khaled Nordin has reportedly been appointed as the Yayasan Pasir Gudang (YPG) chairperson.

He said this and other issues were stymying aid from being distributed to the people.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Che Zakaria - who defeated Khaled for the state seat in the last general election - questioned Khaled's locus standi to head YPG.

"Khaled is not an elected representative to be appointed as YPG chairperson.

"I am still there for Perikatan Nasional, why did they not turn to me? That is why Bersatu is upset," he said.

Khaled's appointment as the foundation's chair was brought up by former Johor menteri besar Osman Sapian yesterday, as an example of unequal distribution of positions between Bersatu and Umno.

Che Zakaria claimed Khaled's appointment was purportedly on the basis that he was also YPG's founder.

The assemblyperson said when he contacted Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad regarding this, the latter's office said an appointment had yet to be made.

"So we can see that things like this are in limbo. Even small matters like this are stuck, that is why we (Johor Bersatu) are mad.

"We can't help the people even though they are going hungry. They can't work, they're not earning their salaries, so if we can't help them, how are they going to eat?

"YPG has allocations, it should be helping the people of Pasir Gudang. What are they keeping the money for?" he asked.

Malaysiakini has contacted Hasni and Khaled for comment.

Another matter ruffling Johor Bersatu's feathers, he said, was the distribution of Ramadan aid from the state government.

He said previously during the Pakatan Harapan administration, poor households would get RM100 each in addition to a food basket worth RM100 to help them during the fasting month.

"But now, I've made the request (for aid allocation) a week ago, and there is still no answer. This is why we're mad," he said.

He added that Bersatu was also upset at the state government over the lack of transparency in the appointment of politicians to GLCs, which the party believes is not equitable.

Che Zakaria, himself, had been removed from the board of the South East Johor Development Authority (Kejora).

However, he said this was not an issue as political appointees nationwide were being sacked.

Previously on April 27, Johor Bersatu leader Mohd Solihan Badri penned a public essay, urging Umno not to neglect Bersatu because they needed each other to rule Johor.

Solihan, who is both the state cabinet member and Tenang lawmaker, also said that Bersatu's inclusion in political appointments, such as GLCs, must be part of the "rules" for PN's collaboration. - Mkini