Umno starts climb over Anwar's head despite shock exposé. Flip-flop on GLC posts a harbinger of rewards for by-election wins?

Written by Stan Lee, PoliticsNow Malaysia 

KUALA LUMPUR (politicsnowmy.blogspot.com) - It looks like Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has flip-flopped again on one of his Pakatan Harapan good governance and reform pledges - by lifting an unwritten bar on appointing politicians to helm key positions at government-linked companies (GLCs).

In March 2023, to quell rising public alarm that team Anwar had embarked on another promise-breaking spree, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke had reiterated the stand on GLCs although he acknowledged it would not extend to statutory agencies and regulatory bodies.

"This flexibility is given to the prime minister to consider the appointment of key personnel (to these agencies) so that party leaders at various levels can also play a role," the NST had reported Loke, who is also the Transport Minister, as telling a press conference.

"However, there is 'one clear distinction' that must be made as many people seem to confuse key GLC companies with these statutory and regulatory bodies. There is a notable difference there."

"I am confident that the policy will continue to be maintained by the prime minister," Loke added.

FLIP-FLOPS

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Yet it appears that either Anwar is not on the same page as Loke or he has forgotten all about the pledge made in the wake of past abuses, corruption and incompetence at GLCs during the Umno-BN rule.

According to Anwar, there would be 'no discrimination' against politicians holding GLC posts if they were qualified and had clean records. He strengthened his justification with the promise that all such appointees would undergo 'stringent checks' by the Inland Revenue Board, Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the police.

The exception, however, was at financial institutions where the government would maintain its closed door stand of not allowing politicians to become board members, added Anwar. 

“Those appointed are professionals. Their previous political positions are not the issue. We do not discriminate between politicians and non-politicians," Anwar said during Question Time in Parliament on Tuesday (October 22).

“The main priority is that they meet the necessary requirements, and most of those appointed come from professional backgrounds.” 

“In areas such as financial institutions, politicians are not allowed to become board members. We are firm on this and will continue to uphold Bank Negara’s principles,” added Anwar, insisting his government was committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in financial oversight.

NAJIB'S DAUGHTER

Anwar's Madani government has come under heavy criticism over the recent appointment of Nooryana Najib, the daughter of disgraced and jailed former prime minister Najib Razak to the board of Matrade. 

Nooryana, who had tax issues, is also politician in her own right and sits on the executive committee of the Umno Women's Youth wing. Matrade is a national trade promotion agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry to develop and promote Malaysia's exports.

Anwar's surprise change in stance following Nooryana's controversial appointment has triggered talk that more political appointments may be on the cards.

"No one would be surprised if more dubious appointments are made. The bets are on Umno warlords and their progeny getting more 'rewards' from Anwar following the party's strong victories in the recent Mahkota and Nenggiri by-elections. Still it does show Anwar's weakness if he continues to give in until Pakatan has zero credibility left with its own support base," a veteran pundit told PoliticsNow Malaysia.

ANWAR'S DATE WITH KARMA? WHEN YOU PLAY WITH FIRE, YOU GET BURNT ...

Indeed, speculation had been rife in recent days that trouble was brewing in the corridors of power, specifically between Anwar and Umno, following a shock revelation from Anwar's political secretary that Zahid Hamdi, the Umno president, may not even have won his long-held Bagan Datuk seat during the 2022 general election if Anwar had not personally intervened. 

According to Shamsul Iskandar Akin, who had contested the seat against Zahid, he was asked by Anwar not to seek a recount of votes - so as to pave the way for Zahid, who is now also the deputy prime minister, to deliver support for Anwar's Pakatan Harapan coalition. This ultimately enabled the formation of a unity government and the culmination of Anwar's decades-long dream to become PM .

"At the time, I said we have to fight. We have to make sure we count properly. There were almost 800 spoilt votes. I mean, how could it be? I lost by 348 votes, so we wanted to continue and fight," Shamsul had told a podcast.

"(But Anwar) called and said that 'I am impressed with your hard work in Bagan Datuk' and so on. But Sam, we want to form a government. Zahid has already issued a letter to form a government."

Written by Stan Lee, PoliticsNow Malaysia

https://politicsnowmy.blogspot.com/