APPOINTMENTS of new chairmen for five statutory bodies are done based on their reputation and contributions in the agricultural community, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu amid criticism.
He added that those appointed will only chair meetings while experts will provide the necessary advice and input.
Perhaps the minister should, above all, be mindful that the appointments are public appointments – chairmen or otherwise. A public appointment is an appointment made by a minister to the board of a public body.
Perhaps also the minister, or any minister for that matter, should consider the following principles when making public appointments – above reputation and contributions in the relevant communities:
S – Selflessness. Ministers, when making appointments, should act solely in terms of the public interest.
T – Transparent. Appointments and their processes should be transparent.
I – Integrity. Ministers, when making appointments, should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
M – Merit. All appointments should be governed by the principle of appointment on merit. This means appointing high quality candidates, drawn from a strong, diverse field, whose skills, experiences and qualities have been judged to meet the needs of the public body or statutory office in question.
The above is adopted from the Governance Code on Public Appointments, United Kingdom 2016.
A minister should implore that public appointees follow the seven principles of public life, namely:
Selflessness. Holders of public office should act only in terms of the public interest.
Integrity. Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work.
They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
Objectivity. Holders of public office must act and make decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
Accountability. Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and be prepared for the necessary scrutiny necessary that allows this.
Openness. Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent way. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
Honesty. Holders of public office should be truthful.
Leadership. Holders of public office should show these principles in their own behaviour. They should promote and support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs. – The Vibes, May 13, 2023
Hafiz Hassan reads The Vibes
