KUALA LUMPUR: Former political leaders can be appointed to government-linked companies (GLC) if it is based on merit, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"Their appointments are done following vetting by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Bank Negara.
"This is to ensure that they have a clean record which can be defended," the Prime Minister said when replying to a supplementary question raised by Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Oct 22).
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What was crucial, Anwar said, was that those appointed are qualified and carry out their responsibilities professionally.
However, Anwar said that former political leaders would not be appointed to the board of directors of government companies dealing in finance.
"We are firm on this and support this principle which Bank Negara stresses on," he added.
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He said that the audit by the Auditor-General's Department on all 2,000 gazetted GLCs next year would ensure the proper conduct of such appointees.
"It will be a reminder that there should not be any problems or fraud in these agencies," he said.
