PN MPs can serve as people's reps to monitor GLCs – PAS leader

Perikatan Nasional MPs appointed as government-linked companies (GLCs) chairpersons can act as the people’s representatives to “monitor” these companies, a PAS central committee member said.

Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki (above) told Berita Harian that such appointments showed that the government is accountable to the people as the GLC chairpersons appointed are those chosen by them.

Zuhdi emphasised that what really matters is that the appointment of the GLCs management and administration team are not those involved in politics.

“Their role is to represent the people in monitoring the running of the GLCs while the GLCs management and administration are carried out by the chief executive officer, director or general manager who should not be from those in politics,” he added.

He was responding to the statement by de facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan (photo) yesterday, that government MPs who have not been appointed to government posts would be given positions in GLCs and statutory bodies.

Zuhdi said such appointments also grant an advantage to the MPs involved to answer questions or issues raised in Parliament in relation to the GLCs that they helm.

“All GLCs will hand over their yearly report to Parliament, therefore if there are any matters raised by the people’s representative, then the chairperson can answer directly in Parliament.

“Before this, any questions raised in Parliament regarding GLCs would be answered by the minister linked to them.

“After this, Parliament perhaps can create a mechanism so that questions on a certain GLC are answered directly by the GLC's chairperson who is also an MP,” he added.

However, Zudhi said one should differentiate between a body making a decision in a GLC and a body which administers and manages the said GLC.

“The body making the GLC’s decision is definitely suitable to be given to policymakers including from MPs, while the body which administers and manages the GLC should be given to those not from politics.

“The balance needs to be in line with the principles of separation of powers between the legislature and executive,” he added. - Mkini