Former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan said a code of conduct would help ensure transparency among Cabinet members and prevent nepotism and cronyism.
He said similar guidelines were implemented in Singapore and the UK where the public is informed of the business affairs involving their ministers’ partners.
“I’m sure Ramachandran Muniandy is a legitimate and well-deserving businessman, but the issue is that he is the husband (of a minister),” he said, referring to Yeoh’s husband.
“So how do you manage both sides? Because he deserves a career as well,” he added in the latest episode of the “Keluar Sekejap” podcast tonight.
Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin echoed a similar sentiment and said calls for Yeoh and Ramachandran to leave their respective posts were “extreme and unfair”.
He also suggested for the guidelines to stipulate that spouses of politicians holding official positions must declare their interest in companies, especially those involved in business with the government.
“Meanwhile, the politicians cannot get involved with any government decisions (related to their spouses), directly or indirectly,” he said.
The former health minister also said that during his tenure, when discussions revolved around the business dealings of a minister’s spouse, the said minister would leave the room.
“This was a common practice and was included in the minutes of the meeting,” he said.
The Selangor government has found itself on the back foot following allegations of preferential treatment in the tender process after it was revealed that Ramachandran is the CEO of Asia Mobility Technologies Sdn Bhd (Asia Mobiliti), one of two companies selected for a new demand-responsive transit (DRT) system in the Klang Valley.
Yesterday, Selangor investment, trade and mobility committee chairman Ng Sze Han denied that Asia Mobiliti and Badanbas Coach Sdn Bhd were selected for the project through direct negotiations as claimed by some quarters.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Azam Baki, meanwhile, said the agency will not investigate a possible conflict of interest in the matter as Yeoh’s husband received the contract from the Selangor government, and it was not directly related to her ministry.
On Monday, Asia Mobiliti defended its involvement, saying an open tender would have created a monopoly in the state.
Khairy and Shahril also believed that Yeoh should have come forward to explain her position in the controversy.
Khairy claimed that Yeoh was known as a “sanctimonious” politician from Pakatan Harapan, particularly when Barisan Nasional was in power.
“Yeoh needs to come forward in a situation where she used to engage in moral posturing; today she just has to face it,” he said.