Mahathir alludes to failed attempt to replace Health DG with politician

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has alluded to an alleged failed attempt to replace Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah with a politician

Speaking at a press conference in Putrajaya today, Mahathir said the current government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic had been good because the efforts were being spearheaded by a professional.

"The government has done a good job but that is because the politicians couldn't take over the job of professionals.

"The work is being done by a professional person, a doctor, and he has done a good job.

"At one time, there was an attempt to replace him with a politician and put a politician there because this is good publicity for the politician, but there were protests so the officer is still there," he said without naming anyone.

It is not clear if Mahathir meant an attempt to replace Noor Hisham as director-general of health or an attempt to remove him from being in charge of the nation's Covid-19 response.

A ministry director-general is a civil service position.

Mahathir had earlier commented on how the current government had replaced professionals put in charge of GLCs with politicians. 

Malaysiakini has contacted Noor Hisham (above) for a response.

The Health director-general became the face of Malaysia's Covid-19 response after the fall of the Pakatan Harapan government in February.

Prior to that, press conferences were helmed by then health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.

When Perikatan Nasional took over, Health Minister Dr Adham Baba briefly announced Covid-19 updates but was soon replaced by Noor Hisham.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin later announced that only Noor Hisham and Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob would update the country daily to avoid there being too many spokespersons. - Mkini