'Abuse of trust' - Bersih blasts political appointments to statutory bodies

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) has come out strongly against the recent appointments by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry of five chairpersons to statutory bodies under the ministry.

In a statement today, Bersih said that appointing five political representatives amounted to an abuse of trust.

"Our stand is that elected representatives should not be appointed to GLCs or statutory bodies as they are elected to be legislators and to serve their constituents.

"As it is important to ensure that statutory bodies are carrying out the policies of the government of the day, it would be reasonable for the government to appoint people whom it trusts and are in alignment with its policy direction.

"This may include politicians but such politicians must have competence and credentials related to the statutory bodies," said Bersih.

Hidden corruption

It said that because of potential conflict of interests, the appointment of elected representatives should be minimised.

"Furthermore, appointments to statutory bodies must be subjected to scrutiny by parliamentary committees.

"It's an abuse of public office and trust, bordering on hidden corruption, if the government simply appoints any party operatives, such as former aides of top leaders, to statutory bodies just to financially sustain their political works," the electoral watchdog added.

Of the five appointments announced by minister Mohamad Sabu (above) - who is also Amanah president - three are from Amanah, one is from PKR and one is from DAP.

The new chairpersons, effective May 15 are:

1. Mahfuz Omar (Amanah) - Farmers' Organisation Authority (LPP)

2. Faiz Fadzil (Amanah) - Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM)

3. Aminuddin Zulkipli (Amanah) - Farmers' Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama)

4. Dr Azman Ismail (PKR) - Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (Mardi)

5. Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali (DAP) - Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM)

Mohamad said in a statement that the five were appointed based on their “broad experience” in various fields including policy, management, administration, and service.

Specific services

Bersih said it recognised that parties need to maintain full-time operatives but their salaries should be paid for by the parties or their affiliated entities, and not with public money.

"Meanwhile, parties deserve annual subsidies from taxpayers based on their vote shares in federal and state elections.

"When it comes to political appointments to a statutory body, we take a slightly different stand from appointments to GLC,” it added.

"Statutory bodies are established by specific federal or state laws to carry out specific services or tasks that are not primarily driven by profit and to fulfil government policies.

"The Madani government should therefore end the old practice of financing government parties' operation and rewarding party leaders through lucrative postings in GLCs and statutory bodies.

"It should instead design a democratic, fair and accountable system of public funding to political parties, based on the needs of the government parties as well as the opposition," said Bersih. - Mkini