SHAH ALAM - The practice of political appointments in government-linked companies (GLCs) will only reduce the government party's chances of winning in the next state elections.
Political analyst Professor Wong Chin Huat said the government led by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will also lose the moral qualification to claim they are different from the previous government.
He said, by following the outdated practices of Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), cancelling the previous political appointments will be seen cynically as an attempt to steal remuneration from the losers rather than protecting the public interest.
"BN had this kind of practice during their era and it became worse during the government led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin when almost 90 per cent of the government's Members of Parliament that were not ministers were given lucrative positions.
"So when this practice continues, the cynicism towards the new government will increase, so voters who are at the middle-ground that were inclined to support the Unity Government may become reluctant to vote.
"It further reduces the government party's chances of winning in the next state elections," he told Sinar Ahad.
Wong added the appointment of politicians to fill high positions in statutory bodies and GLCs will cause two major problems.
"Firstly, if these politicians are incapable of taking responsibility then this appointment were made while sacrificing the public interest to please the people in the ruling party. The statutory bodies and GLCs are denied of the chances in getting the best talent.
"If those appointed are the people's representatives, even if they are qualified, there will be a conflict of interest because those who should supervise in the Dewan Rakyat are now sitting in the group that should be monitored," he explained.
The government received heavy criticism following a series of political appointments to government agencies and GLCs in recent weeks.
Among those appointed was Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki as Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman while Kelantan Umno chairman Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub was reappointed as Felcra chairman.
Additionally, Balik Pulau MP Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik was appointed as Finance Ministry investment arm MyCreative Ventures Sdn Bhd chairman and Datuk Husam Musa as Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd chairman.
Most recently, Umno Wanita chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad was rumored to be appointed as Risda chairman.