Shamsul Iskandar pledges better screening for his next aide

Deputy Primary Industries Minister Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin has promised to screen more carefully his future aide, who will replace Haziq Abdullah Abdul Aziz, who has been sacked as his senior private secretary.

"We received quite encouraging applications - 20 applications - for the job, including one application from a journalist who has experience.

"I haven't looked into all applications. But when I checked (some of them), I did not see any of them meeting the requirements," Shamsul said at a press conference in Kota Bharu yesterday.

"Priority will be given to a (applicant who is) diplomatic officer from the ministry but the existing rules do not stop any quarter from bringing in (a candidate)," he said in reference to political appointments.

On June 18, the ministry sacked Haziq for tarnishing the government's image after he confessed that he and Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali were the individuals in the sex video circulated since June 11.

Haziq (photo, below), who was the Santubong PKR Youth chief, was subsequently expelled by the party.

Following this incident, Shamsul vowed to be more careful in picking his future aide.

"This is something we cannot foresee, but as I said before, the recent incident (taught me to) be more careful in recruitment to get the best candidate," he said.

"I will work with the Human Resource Division because we need an officer who can focus fully (on the job).

"As of now, we have not selected anybody. God willing, (we) will do this soon," Shamsul added.

He also said Haziq had gone through a fair due process before he was sacked by PKR.

"The basis for his sacking was clear as Haziq, being a party member, hurled accusations at the leadership, especially in relation to a corruption case.

"We cannot encourage a culture of attacking the leadership without any reason and strong evidence. Any issue should go through the internal channels," Shamsul said. - Mkini