Know difference between GLC and regulatory bodies, Loke tells detractors

 

Loke Siew Fook said there was some leeway when it came to the appointment of heads to statutory and regulatory bodies like Felcra and the port authorities.

PETALING JAYA: Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said there was a need to differentiate between government-linked companies (GLCs) and regulatory bodies before criticising political appointments.

“Right now, many seem to have mixed up these two,” he said at a press conference after the Selangor DAP annual convention today.

Loke said this when asked to comment on the appointments of former Kapar MP Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid and Hulu Langat MP Sany Hamzan as Tekun Nasional chairman and deputy chairman respectively.

Tekun Nasional is a government agency that provides loans for Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

Abdullah Sani is from PKR while Sany is from Amanah.

Loke said there was some leeway when it came to the appointment of heads to statutory and regulatory bodies like Felcra and the port authorities.

These are positions that had been previously filled by political appointees, he said.

“And we give this flexibility to the prime minister to consider who to appoint so that party leaders at all levels can also play their role in helping the government.”

Last week, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed that former Machang MP Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub had been reappointed as Felcra chairman.

Jazlan’s reappointment drew criticism when it was announced last year, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim then stating that it had been put on hold.

“I want to explain that political figures or MPs may be appointed. But we will consider the individual’s professional capabilities and past performance, as well as compliance with regulations and principles of good governance,” Anwar said at the time. - FMT