IDEAS: Appointments to public bodies must not be normalised as political rewards

THE Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) today said political appointments as rewards for party services sends a dangerous message that public roles can be handed out like political souvenirs, rather than earned through merit and competence.

In a statement today, the non-profit research institute stressed that political appointments are not favours to be exchanged, but positions of public trust that carry real responsibility.

"Whether or not appointees come from political backgrounds, all such appointments must be based on merit, integrity and professional experience.

"Only through a transparent and performance driven process can we ensure our public institutions are led by individuals who can serve the people effectively," it said.

State owned enterprises (SOEs) exist to implement national policies and deliver essential services. They are not vehicles for political patronage.

"With over 1,800 SOEs in Malaysia, many of which carry significant fiscal risk — even a handful of poorly governed institutions can cause serious economic damage. "Appointing capable, ethical, and experienced directors is not just a good practice; it is a national economic necessity,".

IDEAS CEO Aira Azhari said the lack of transparency in political appointments erodes trust in democracy, fuels public cynicism and opens the door to abuse.

"This is why IDEAS developed Pantau Kuasa, a public transparency tool that tracks political appointments across more than four hundred entities.

"Covering data from five different federal administrations between 2013 and 2024, the platform allows the public to access appointment records and trends in an accessible, data driven format. " she said.

She said the Pantau Kuasa website (pantaukuasa.com) is open for public reporting.

"We encourage individuals to report political appointments through the website’s feedback form or by emailing [email protected].

"This participatory element helps strengthen democratic oversight and collective accountability.

"IDEAS calls on the government to shift away from the culture of patronage and towards a model of governance that values professionalism, public service and institutional integrity.

"Malaysia’s democracy can only thrive when those in leadership are chosen for their ability to serve, not their political connections," she added. - May 27, 2025