Anwar chides govt decision to appoint Perikatan MPs as GLC heads during Covid-19 crisis

KUALA LUMPUR: The Perikatan Nasional-led government's decision to appoint its MPs to lead government-linked companies (GLCs) during a public health crisis is "a crime," says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic).

The PKR president said that such a move by the government contradicts its official stance in protecting the welfare of Malaysians who are set to be adversely affected by the Covid-19 economic fallout.

"The problem with this leadership is there is no central coherent message. You talk about the poor and economic hardship, but at the same time, you talk about protecting the interests of your MPs and cronies."

Anwar said this would not have been an issue if the appointments were justified by impressive academic and professional credentials, rather than the en masse appointments of every Perikatan lawmaker.

"If you make it a rule that every single MP will be given additional position and perks when people are struggling to eat, this is to me a crime and therefore, we will oppose this," he said during a press conference held via Zoom on Tuesday (April 14).

Anwar also drew a comparison with Pakatan Harapan's administration, as he pointed out the former government did not appoint all of its MPs to head GLCs, but professionals with impressive academic and professional credentials.

"We did not make it a rule that every single appointee must be political in nature. Although we can be questioned in some decisions, but certainly, the excesses the government propose now is unprecedented and indefensible," he said.

Meanwhile, Anwar proposed for extraordinary measures by the government to protect individuals and businesses in the B40 group who are facing bankruptcy.

Anwar said the Opposition is open to discussing with the government on any plans to take unprecedented measures to weather an imminent economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier April 12, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said every Perikatan MPs who do not hold positions in the government will be made heads of GLCs.

The de facto law minister was quoted as saying:"This is because all of them are qualified. They are MPs".