'Political appointments to GLCs justified, so long as one is not an MP simultaneously '- Abdullah Sani

SHAH ALAM - Former Kapar MP Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid was among the more vocal critics of political appointments during previous administrations, but today the PKR strongman is justifying those very appointments, as talk is rife surrounding his own imminent appointment as Tekun Nasional chairman.

Abdullah Sani when contacted by Sinar Daily said those appointments were necessary given that one is not a member of Parliament and a board member of any government-linked companies (GLCs) simultaneously, to help the people and give back to the community.

On the question of his appointment as Tekun chairman, he said he was unaware and yet to be officially informed of it.

"I do not know anything, all I know is that this issue has become viral on social media. I only knew of it since someone forwarded the link to me," he said.

He said that if it's true that he was appointed into such a position, he would gladly accept it justifying that he was no longer an MP and the post would enable him to help Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

Abdullah Sani was one of the more vocal critics of political appointments via his popular podcast during Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's tenures.

Recently, social media platforms were buzzing with apparent appointment of Parit Sulong MP Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad as chairman of the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda).

Two weeks ago, former Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki was appointed as the new Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed the appointment of Dr Noraini while he defended Asyraf's appointment saying was a banker by profession and an expert in Islamic banking.

Meanwhile, the alledged appointment of Hulu Langat MP Sany Hamzan from Amanah as Tekun deputy chairman and Abdullah Sani as Tekun chairman was revealed in a letter from the prime minister’s office which has gone viral.

In the same letter, former Sabah chief minister and long-time federal minister Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok was also named as SME Corp chairman.

Sany confirmed his appointment to a news portal while Bernard could not be reached for comment.