[UPDATED] PM to streamline, announce all political appointments soon: Zahid

SHAH ALAM – All political appointments to government-linked companies (GLCs) will be streamlined and announced simultaneously by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim soon, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid explained that this was done after the appointment of former Machang MP Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub as the chairman of Felcra had been postponed.

“This has been done in line with the government’s efforts to streamline the announcements for all statutory bodies, GLCs and other institutions under the purview of government ministries which will be made soon,” he said to the press after attending a luncheon held in his honour for succeeding in aiding the formation of the unity government.

On December 16, Zahid announced Jazlan’s reappointment as Felcra chairman after taking into account the wishes of Koperasi Peserta-Peserta Felcra Malaysia Bhd’s representatives.

However, on December 21, Anwar then announced that Jazlan’s appointment was postponed.

“I have informed the matter to the deputy prime minister (Zahid), that the reappointment has been postponed,” he told a press conference after chairing a cabinet meeting last Wednesday.

At the time, Anwar was asked on whether the reappointment was seen to be in violation of the cabinet directive to end the tenures of chairmen and board members of federal statutory bodies who are regarded as political appointees effective December 15.

Meanwhile, Zahid also told the press that Anwar has instructed him to form a new cost of living implementation and monitoring committee to help deal with the critical issue further.

“I was told by the prime minister to form a new cost of living implementation and monitoring committee along with other responsible ministers and their ministries to help deal with the issue more effectively,” he said.

Currently, the country also has another federal level task force to deal with the rising cost of living, dubbed the National Action Council on Cost of Living. – The Vibes, December 24, 2022