The former Umno information chief claimed the public would question whether Asyraf’s appointment as Mara chairman last week was due to the fact that Zahid is the rural and regional development minister, and Mara is an agency that falls under the ministry’s purview.

“In terms of ability, I am sure Asyraf is capable… But there is no denying the perception that he is a really strong supporter of Zahid, who is the rural and regional development minister and the Umno president,” said Shahril.

“The public looks at these appointments as if they are rewards for (those) who are in the winning political team,” he added in an episode of the “Keluar Sekejap” podcast with former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

In response, Khairy agreed that Asyraf’s appointment seemed to be a political reward.

“Asyraf has been planning for a long time, it’s just that you (Shahril) have been slacking,” joked Khairy.

Shahril was among those suspended for six years by Umno in January while Khairy was sacked for breaching party discipline during the last general election.

Khairy said that he had no problem with political appointments as long as those appointed were qualified and could perform their duties well.

However, he said the issue is a hot topic at the moment due to Pakatan Harapan’s long-held stance against political appointments in government-linked companies (GLCs), government agencies or statutory bodies.