Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob scored a big red mark for the Perikatan Nasional government when he supported his deputy Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz over an appeal letter to appoint Ikmal Hisham's son to the board of Pharmaniaga Bhd, said Mohamed Arshad Raji.
Arshad, who is Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) president, called Ismail Sabri's act a misstep and said that this revealed bad corporate and political governance.
"First, it was shameful of the deputy defence minister to have issued a support letter for his own son to be appointed to the board of Pharmaniaga.
"Second, it was unbecoming of the defence minister to have made a handwritten note of support minuted to the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) chairperson," said Arshad.
Pharmaniaga is controlled by the LTAT through defence contractor Boustead Holdings.
"Third, having been caught in the mess with the revealed letter of support circulated on social media, trying to cover up with an awkward justification (made it) a national-scale laughing stock," said Arshad.
Ismail Sabri, who is also Umno vice-president, defended his deputy who is from Bersatu, despite pressure from within Umno for the latter to be punished over the letter, which was leaked online.
Ismail Sabri pointed out that if Ikmal Hisham wanted to abuse his power, his deputy could have bypassed him to get his son appointed.
Arshad rubbished this reasoning, saying: "Ismail Sabri was not correct, in trying to justify his action, to say that his deputy could have appointed his own son to the board of Pharmaniaga.
"He gave the impression that he and his deputy could direct the LTAT chairperson to appoint an individual to the board of Pharmaniaga.
"If true, that is bad governance. The fact is that board of directors’ appointments are recommended and made after vetting and recommendation by the board’s nominations committee.
Arshad insisted that the LTAT chair cannot direct the nominations committee to recommend a specific individual.
"Similarly, the minister of defence should not be involved, even by making the notation ‘Setuju’. There must be no political interference.
He added that quite a few companies under Boustead are public-listed and that adherence to good corporate governance, as well as the fair and transparent appointment of directors, is necessary.
"Patriot would like to know who among other politicians, besides the deputy minister’s son, was recommended to the various boards under the Boustead Holdings group of companies.
"LTAT constituents are soldiers from throughout the country.
"They are neither politicians nor party members. As such, appointments to the boards of LTAT, Boustead Holdings, and the overall group of companies should be qualified people who have the best interests of the soldiers at heart, not the interests of politicians and their supporters.
"There are enough veterans who have ventured into business and have the relevant qualification and experience to advance the companies’ business," he added. - Mkini
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