IPOH: The appointment of special officers to constituencies of Opposition assemblymen in Perak is not to undermine anyone’s career or destroy their character, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Perak Mentri Besar said that such allegations made by Kenering assemblyman Husairi Ariffin from PAS were incorrect.
He said the aim of appointing the special officers was to ensure that the district officers could invite state government representatives to the district action council meetings.
“Therefore the Kenering assemblyman doesn't need to worry, as his salary and the monthly allowance will not be affected.
“If he feels that he is underperforming, and that the special officer will perform better, then he needs to work harder.
“There is no intention to destroy anyone’s career or character.
"We don't touch his salary or his duties. If he wants to go anywhere, it’s up to him, but, on the other hand, he cannot stop the special officers from doing their work,” he told reporters after handing over Perak Sejahtera cards to the B40 group at the state secretariat building here Saturday (Feb 22).
Earlier, Husairi, on the Kenering Sejahtera social media accounts, had allegedly claimed that the appointment of the special officers by the Mentri Besar in every Opposition assemblyman’s constituency was aimed at undermining the careers of the elected representatives chosen by the people.
Saarani said he had instructed the special officers to go down to the ground to inform the people of the work the state government has been doing.
He said the criteria for appointing a special officer is someone that could be trusted by him, and that they would perform the tasks directed.
"The idea is to ensure that government representatives are present in every Opposition area, so that the interests of the people are represented," he said.
Saarani added that after Barisan Nasional lost for the first time in 2008, and when the then Pakatan Rakyat was in power, the position of constituency coordinator was created where candidates who lost during the elections were made coordinators.
He said the same thing happened in 2018, when Barisan lost again, the mentri besar at the time was Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who also appointed coordinators.
“I don’t see this as a way to oppress the Opposition.
“Kenering may have forgotten but at several state assembly meetings since 2022, I had asked which model we wanted to follow, whether it was from Kedah, Selangor, Penang, or Kelantan.
“The decision made was to follow the Perak way, and I did not appoint coordinators, but instead appointed special officers,” he added.
Saarani said if the appointed person doesn’t perform, he or she could be replaced, as their job is to make sure the Mentri Besar’s agenda reaches the people.
“At the end of the year, we will assess their performance, and if they perform well, they can continue for another year, otherwise, they will be replaced.
"If they work hard, attend the ground events, and interact with people, then they could be potential candidates for the next election. We will see,” he added.
