Okay for ministers to promote products by their ministries, says DPM

KUALA LUMPUR: It is okay for ministers to promote products by their respective ministries or the government, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

“To promote products ... . We don't do it for private (companies).

“We promote products from our ministries as a way of providing support or to boost them.

“Even when I go overseas, I bring items like Malaysian handicraft items because I want to promote Malaysia as a whole,” she told reporters on the sidelines after launching the Tasputra Perkim daycare and training centre for special needs children on Thursday (Feb 7).

Dr Wan Azizah, who is also the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, said this when asked to comment on her fellow Cabinet member Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman.

Dr Wan Azizah however said that Syed Saddiq had explained that his intention was purely to help.

The Youth and Sports Minister came under criticism by the founder of local brand Hausboom, a private brand, who claimed that Syed Saddiq did not live up to his promise to promote the soft drink.

Syed Saddiq, however, said he had brought the product into Cabinet meetings and even met a businessman to have the brand placed at a convenience store chain.

He added that he did that with the intention of helping young entrepreneurs.