Azmin dismisses claims that PH government is Bersatu-centric

KUALA LUMPUR: Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has dismissed claims that appointments made in government-linked companies (GLCs) favoured the Bersatu party.

According to him, under the new government led by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, all GLCs were spread out evenly in other ministries.

“He (PM) delegates responsibilities to Cabinet members. That’s the reason why some of the agencies which used to be under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), are now delegated to other ministries.

Azmin said his ministry only received three agencies – the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) and Felcra Bhd.

“In the Cabinet, we discussed many issues. I think Dr Mahathir has provided good leadership.

“We must understand most of them are new, but are prepared to learn. We are committed to work as a team and we need Tun to continue to lead us for many more years to come,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here today.

Azmin was commenting on a report titled, “GLC Monitor – The State of Play since GE14” by non-profit organisation Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), which claimed that six Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidates who lost in the 14th General Election were appointed as board members in four statutory bodies under the Rural Development Ministry.

IDEAS in its study found there were changes in the “reporting path” of various GLCs under four main ministries, and also found that nine main companies under the Finance Ministry had been moved to the Prime Minister’s Department, Economic Affairs Ministry, Entrepreneur Development Ministry and Rural Development Ministry.