JOHOR BARU: Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi has hit out at DAP, claiming the party used positions in government-linked companies (GLCs) as a political bargaining tool, following controversy over a purported offer involving Skudai assemblyman Marina Ibrahim.
Mohd Puad, who is an Umno supreme council member, claimed that DAP had used GLC appointments as a political bargaining tool after a letter allegedly from Marina went viral.
In the viral letter, Marina had declined an offer to contest in the Tiram state seat in the coming Johor election and a position in a GLC.
He said the allegation was surprising as DAP had frequently criticised political appointments in GLCs, describing such practices as unethical, unprofessional and contrary to reformist principles.
“The offer was allegedly made before winning the election. It would be slightly different if someone was appointed after an election in recognition of their position as an elected representative who was not made an executive councillor or minister,” he said in a Facebook post Monday (June 1).
Earlier, Johor DAP chairman Teo Nie Ching admitted to proposing Marina for the chairmanship of a statutory body, regardless of the outcome of the Johor election.
“This was to assure her that the party will stand by her regardless of the Johor election outcome,” Teo said, adding that she regretted the offer to contest in a new seat if it had upset Marina.
On Sunday (May 31), Marina announced that she would not contest in the upcoming state election and would step away from active politics after four years as the Skudai assemblyman.
She said she intended to return to the community-based work that had always been her passion.
A letter purportedly written by Marina to Teo, declining an offer to contest the Tiram state seat, later made the rounds on social media.
