KUALA LUMPUR – The government has been urged to find other means to show its “gratitude” towards politicians who had pledged their support instead of appointing them as special envoys with ministerial status, said political analyst Azmi Hassan.
Azmi said such practices involve high costs and raise more questions as the terms of the responsibility of such posts are not properly defined.
“There are other ways to say thank you, not appointing special envoys with ministerial status.
“Actually, there are numerous other positions which do not bear a high cost (to the government) or cause polemics, as what is happening now,” he said when contacted by The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister publication, Getaran.
Previously, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad had informed that the government had spent nearly RM1 million on official trips conducted by the special envoys from 2020 to June of this year.
Latiff also said the envoys are responsible for attracting foreign investment to the country through these official trips.
Azmi explained that this task can either be delegated or entrusted to ambassadors or career officers already within the diplomatic corps.
However, the political analyst said the only exception would be for critical issues that require a special envoy to said nation or region.
“However when I look at China and East and West Asia, there are no real critical issues. That is why there are polemics, with people questioning the high cost being borne by the government now.
“The government must find other means to say thank you to the political leaders, not with such significant posts.
Significant in name but not in practice, they involve a high cost to the government,” he said.
Another political analyst, James Chin, said the appointment of special envoys is a normal practice for any administration; however the criteria of the exact duties and the terms of service are usually specified.
For example, an envoy may be appointed to a specific country as he or she enjoys a special relationship with the leaders of said country.
“You appoint a special envoy on trade to discuss new terms with other countries and this envoy shares a special relationship with the leaders of said country.
“But it is not normal for special envoys to be appointed permanently, compared to being appointed on a contractual basis for two or three years as we have here. That is not normal,” he said.
Chin said the appointment of the special envoys is ultimately not beneficial as none of them share any special relationship with the countries they are posted to.
“What does the general public feel? They feel that these appointments are a waste of money,” he said. – The Vibes, July 27, 2022
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