Long said to be a “little extra income” for party affiliates, supporters, hangers-on, and sycophants, such appointments were extended to civil servants - past and present. It was also a backdoor entry for party leaders who lost in the elections.
I then wrote: “The appointment of competent and qualified people to the helm will help restore the prestige and stature of these bodies, which have often been accused of using them as their personal fiefdom.
“Their appointments must be decided by an independent and competent body and the candidates must be selected irrespective of colour or creed and the KPIs set.”
But it did not last long. Little by little, political appointments returned. By May the following year, Umno leader Reezal Merican Naina Merican was made Matrade chairperson.
His was among a series of political appointments involving...