Responding to criticism over his appointment, Wan Saiful said PTPTN was not a government-linked company (GLC). Instead, it is a statutory body established to implement the government’s political agenda.

“Some say that my appointment goes against the PH manifesto, actually they don’t understand, PTPTN is a statutory body, not a GLC.

“In our manifesto, we did not touch on statutory bodies. Statutory bodies are usually socio-political institutes set up to help the public,” he said at a forum in Universiti Malaya today.

Wan Saiful, the former CEO of think-tank Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), blasted his critics as individuals who were too lazy to do their “homework”.

“They are too lazy to do their homework, giving their comments without reading PH’s manifesto. However, I agree that not just GLCs, but statutory bodies can also be investigated.”

Previously, Education Minister Maszlee Malik dismissed criticism that Wan Saiful’s appointment was a political move, saying his special adviser only stepped in as no one else wanted the job.

DAP veteran Dr Boo Cheng Hau was among those who criticised the move, saying Wan Saiful’s appointment should be scrutinised and made transparent to prevent cronyism and corruption.

Prominent academic, Edmund Terence Gomez of Universiti Malaya also objected to politicians leading statutory bodies and GLCs unless they were to do so in a ministerial or government capacity.

Wan Saiful was appointed as PTPTN chairman on June 18 for a two-year term.

At the same forum, Wan Saiful also said an in-depth study was needed to determine the positions of politicians in GLCs and statutory bodies to resolve questions which arose when politicians were also professionals.

Academic: Say no to politicians leading GLCs, statutory bodies

Wan Saiful at PTPTN: No one else wanted the job, says Maszlee