Upholding democratic principles: Mohd hassan (from left), Latheefa and Thomas
PUTRAJAYA: With the burning issue of who will make it to the new government’s Cabinet dusted, the next thing this administration needs to deal with involves political appointments – retain them, let them go and make fresh appointments.
Political appointees are those who are appointed to a post by, in Malaysia’s case, the prime minister or ministers to head or become members of a government agency, a board or body.
In most cases, resignation of political appointees when there is a change of government is a must and is seen as upholding democratic principles.
Right after Barisan Nasional lost the general election in 2018, heads of many government agencies, a majority of whom were political appointees were told to resign.
Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad, who then was Felda chairman and the Land Public Transport Commission chairman Tan Sri Isa Samad were among political appointees who were given a week to resign.
Malaysian envoys who were political appointees were also asked to return home and those appointed to the boards of directors of companies under the Ministry of Finance Inc were also asked to step down.
Government sources said the prime minister has a say as far as political appointments are concerned.
“This is a matter for the prime minister to decide. We do not know what he intends to do with those who are given political appointments.
“The civil service is not involved in such matters,” said a source.
Another source said that even if a minister were to make a political appointment for an agency under the ministry, say the appointment of Risda chairman – this would have to be approved by the prime minister.
It is unclear how many political appointments were made by Pakatan Harapan government during its 21-month tenure.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia politics and governance research group head Dr Mazlan Ali said there are two types of such appointees, the first being those appointed under an Act, such as board members of government agencies.
The second type of appointees are employees of ministers such as political secretaries, who would automatically lose their posts once their ministers lose theirs.
For the first type, or those appointed into government agencies, they are usually given contracts stating their tenure and termination clauses, he said.
“They can be dropped by the new government but it also depends on what their contract says, such as does it say they can be terminated without any notice,” said Mazlan.
Pakatan political appointees can choose to step down to signal their protest against Perikatan Nasional, he said.
Mazlan pointed out the example of Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican stepping down from the Khazanah Nasional Bhd board of directors on Monday.
Mohd Hassan was appointed director of Khazanah in July 2018 by the then Pakatan government.
“He let go of his post to show that he doesn’t agree with the new government,” said Mazlan.
He added that in the case of former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Latheefa Koya and Attorney General Tommy Thomas resigning, they did so as per customary.
“They were appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong upon the recommendation of the prime minister.
“Those with top posts must hold on to their dignity. So when the prime minister is changed, then they must also be changed.
“That was why they requested to the King to have their contracts shortened,” said Mazlan.
Another political analyst Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said if the person who was politically appointed can prove that he can do the job and remain impartial, then it is not wrong for them to stay put.
“It is understandable if the government has to let them go because policies are involved and there can be sabotage if the person holding the post is not aligned to the administration,” he said.
Sivamurugan is of the opinion that while political appointments can be a form of reward, he warned the government not to be excessive.
“Also, appoint those who are credible, with good track record and those who can do the job.
“Appoint individuals whom the public cannot question the move to put them in those positions,” he said, citing the appointment of the new Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun as an “unquestionable” move by the government.
Earlier this month, DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai said the party’s members and leaders who hold positions in regulatory bodies under the government would not resign.
Online news portal Malaysiakini reported that the decision was taken by the DAP central executive committee.
This included his position as Malaysia’s special envoy to China as he was appointed by the Cabinet on July 25, 2018, which will end on July 24.
Tan said such resignation will not happen because Pakatan was the legitimate government given the mandate to rule after the 2018 general election.
He told the portal that even during the political uncertainty which saw the country change the prime minister, he had no problems performing his duty as the special envoy and the chairperson of the Malaysia China Business Council.
Apart from Tan, other DAP political appointees include Wong Kah Woh as Sustainable Energy Development Authority chairman and Alice Lau as National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health chairman.
From Amanah, Kelantan Amanah chief Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah was appointed as the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board chairman; and party member Nik Omar Nik Abdul Aziz is the Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia chairman. - Star
Political appointees are those who are appointed to a post by, in Malaysia’s case, the prime minister or ministers to head or become members of a government agency, a board or body.
Right after Barisan Nasional lost the general election in 2018, heads of many government agencies, a majority of whom were political appointees were told to resign.
Malaysian envoys who were political appointees were also asked to return home and those appointed to the boards of directors of companies under the Ministry of Finance Inc were also asked to step down.
Government sources said the prime minister has a say as far as political appointments are concerned.
“This is a matter for the prime minister to decide. We do not know what he intends to do with those who are given political appointments.
“The civil service is not involved in such matters,” said a source.
Another source said that even if a minister were to make a political appointment for an agency under the ministry, say the appointment of Risda chairman – this would have to be approved by the prime minister.
It is unclear how many political appointments were made by Pakatan Harapan government during its 21-month tenure.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia politics and governance research group head Dr Mazlan Ali said there are two types of such appointees, the first being those appointed under an Act, such as board members of government agencies.
The second type of appointees are employees of ministers such as political secretaries, who would automatically lose their posts once their ministers lose theirs.
For the first type, or those appointed into government agencies, they are usually given contracts stating their tenure and termination clauses, he said.
“They can be dropped by the new government but it also depends on what their contract says, such as does it say they can be terminated without any notice,” said Mazlan.
Pakatan political appointees can choose to step down to signal their protest against Perikatan Nasional, he said.
Mazlan pointed out the example of Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican stepping down from the Khazanah Nasional Bhd board of directors on Monday.
Mohd Hassan was appointed director of Khazanah in July 2018 by the then Pakatan government.
“He let go of his post to show that he doesn’t agree with the new government,” said Mazlan.
He added that in the case of former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Latheefa Koya and Attorney General Tommy Thomas resigning, they did so as per customary.
“They were appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong upon the recommendation of the prime minister.
“Those with top posts must hold on to their dignity. So when the prime minister is changed, then they must also be changed.
“That was why they requested to the King to have their contracts shortened,” said Mazlan.
Another political analyst Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said if the person who was politically appointed can prove that he can do the job and remain impartial, then it is not wrong for them to stay put.
“It is understandable if the government has to let them go because policies are involved and there can be sabotage if the person holding the post is not aligned to the administration,” he said.
Sivamurugan is of the opinion that while political appointments can be a form of reward, he warned the government not to be excessive.
“Also, appoint those who are credible, with good track record and those who can do the job.
“Appoint individuals whom the public cannot question the move to put them in those positions,” he said, citing the appointment of the new Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun as an “unquestionable” move by the government.
Earlier this month, DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai said the party’s members and leaders who hold positions in regulatory bodies under the government would not resign.
Online news portal Malaysiakini reported that the decision was taken by the DAP central executive committee.
This included his position as Malaysia’s special envoy to China as he was appointed by the Cabinet on July 25, 2018, which will end on July 24.
Tan said such resignation will not happen because Pakatan was the legitimate government given the mandate to rule after the 2018 general election.
He told the portal that even during the political uncertainty which saw the country change the prime minister, he had no problems performing his duty as the special envoy and the chairperson of the Malaysia China Business Council.
Apart from Tan, other DAP political appointees include Wong Kah Woh as Sustainable Energy Development Authority chairman and Alice Lau as National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health chairman.
From Amanah, Kelantan Amanah chief Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah was appointed as the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board chairman; and party member Nik Omar Nik Abdul Aziz is the Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia chairman. - Star
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