Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) was referring to the recent appointment of former Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki as the new Mara chairman.
“The issue is, Pakatan Harapan must declare its interest (in the appointment), and that political appointments are now acceptable.
“Last time, they (the government) said that they did not want to have political appointments, but now they do.
“I urge the government to just change (its position), we won’t have a problem with it. We’ll just accept it, what can we do?” he said while debating the budget at the committee stage today.
Shahidan also described Asyraf as a “friend”, saying he had no objections to the latter’s appointment.
Meanwhile, Nazri Abu Hassan (PN-Merbok) urged the government to reveal how much Asyraf would be paid as Mara chairman.
“I want to know how much monthly allowance is allocated to the newly-appointed Mara chairman, because he holds an important responsibility in ensuring the integrity of the institution – or is he not getting any allowance at all?” he asked.
Asyraf’s appointment as Mara chairman was followed by the reappointment of former Machang MP Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub as Felcra chairman, which was confirmed today.
Earlier, FMT reported that Bersih had urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to publicly state whether he supported the recent appointments of the two Umno leaders.
Bersih chairman Thomas Fann said Anwar should reveal whether he backed their appointments and also explain why he supported or opposed them.
Jazlan’s reappointment was first announced by deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi last December, but a few days later, Anwar said this had been put on hold.
At the time, Anwar said politicians and MPs could be appointed to GLCs but maintained that their professional capabilities, past performances and compliance with good governance principles would be taken into consideration.
Today, Zahid confirmed Jazlan’s reappointment in a speech at an Umno event in Kelantan, where the Umno president introduced the candidates in the running for posts in the party’s elections.
Asyraf gets paid RM10,300 per month, says ministry
Deputy rural and regional development minister Rubiah Wang, in her winding-up speech for the ministry, revealed that Asyraf is paid RM10,300 monthly as the Mara chairman.
The sum comprises a fixed allowance of RM8,800 and RM1,500 in entertainment allowance.
She also said the rate had been fixed since 2015.