KOTA KINABALU: Electoral watchdog Bersih Sabah 2.0 has criticised the Warisan-led state government for breaking its promise of not appointing elected reps to head government-linked companies (GLCs).
Bersih said they and other Sabahans viewed this move as repeating the “kebobrokan” (rottenness) practised by the previous Barisan Nasional administration.
They said this practice is being continued now by the present Perikatan Nasional government that treats GLCs as a tool for its political interests.
“Bersih Sabah demands that the state government, under Chief Minister Shafie Apdal, not to set a bad precedence of appointing MPs or assemblymen to GLCs.
“Hold on to your promise and manifesto to uplift the people of Sabah,” they said in a statement here today.
Shafie, who is Warisan president, yesterday announced the appointments of Penampang MP Darell Leiking as chairman of Sabah Oil and Gas Development Corporation Sdn Bhd and Sepanggar MP Azis Jamman as head of state investment arm, Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn Bhd.
Shafie defended the move, saying it was for the good of the people as the MPs had the experience and capability to lead the GLCs and bring the state forward.
Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin had earlier today vilified Shafie and his government for going back on their word.
Today, Bersih said the appointments were in direct breach of what Shafie had said himself on May 13, which was that elected reps will not be elected to head statutory bodies or GLCs as they would need to focus on serving the people.
They said Sabahans wanted a better and more transparent political practice by the Warisan-PKR-DAP-Upko coalition compared to the previous government.
“This practice does not involve making GLCs to be tools or serve as political rewards.
“Such appointments among politicians will only encourage patronage politics that gives room for them to selectively channel government resources to strengthen their political influence.”
Bersih added that GLCs are supposed to benefit the people but will be used to enrich certain quarters, especially government supporters, through such a practice.
“Their votes in the 14th general election, intended to bring about change, will have gone to waste.” - FMT
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.