PARLIAMENT | Mohd Radzi Md Jidin (Perikatan Nasional-Putrajaya) has suggested that the government enforces a law that prevents the prime minister from holding any other ministerial positions, especially the position of finance minister.
Radzi added that centralisation of power can increase the risk of power misuse because there are no checks and balances.
He also reminded the Dewan Rakyat that the last prime minister to hold the position of finance minister as well was Najib Abdul Razak.
The scandals that occurred under Najib’s premiership, Radzi (above) said, should be used as examples of why the prime minister should not handle other ministries.
“We should take a lesson from the various financial scandals that happened during the Barisan Nasional (BN) era, especially under the leadership of the sixth prime minister,” Radzi said during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
The PN leader then stated how Pakatan Harapan itself was previously on par with limiting the prime minister’s ability to hold ministerial posts, citing the coalition’s manifesto during the 14th general election (GE14).
“Realising the bad effects of this centralisation of power, many of our friends in Harapan back then have advocated that the prime minister should not hold the position of finance minister.
“Under promise 12 of Harapan’s GE14 manifesto, they aimed to ensure that the prime minister will not simultaneously hold other ministerial posts, especially the post of minister of finance.
“It is very sad that our friends in Harapan went silent after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim decided to also become the finance minister,” Radzi said.
He also suggested that the prime minister withdraws his statement on how Nurul Izzah’s initial appointment as the senior economic and financial adviser was not nepotism since she would not be receiving a salary.
Radzi stressed that such statements illustrate that it is not wrong for any minister or deputy minister to appoint their family members as advisers in any government administration.
‘Ramasamy’s argument is an insult’
Radzi also expressed his disappointment with Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy’s recent remark on how the civil service has been ossified (become rigid or fixed in position) and needed reforms.
He said Ramasamy’s argument was an insult to the public service and to the Malays.
“I was shocked when I read Ramasamy’s argument. This statement is extreme and can destroy the harmony of the country.
“Has the Home Ministry taken action on this racist statement?
“Also, is the government planning to downsize the public service and reduce the number of Malays in the public service, as urged by Ramasamy?” Radzi asked.
As Radzi was nearing his session limit in Dewan Rakyat, several MPs were riled up and asked him to quickly finish his speech.
An unknown MP chimed in and said the Putrajaya MP was the "slowest education minister in history". - Mkini
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