LETTER | Since the Perikatan Nasional government coalition under the leadership of Muhyiddin Yassin came to power through unethical means, he has been thorough in mollifying elites in all parties in the coalition with little or no interest in merit and competency.

Currently, there are already 70 cabinet posts compared to 55 under the previous Pakatan Harapan government which is a burden to the national coffers. Now there is an additional position of special envoy to the Middle East which reveals an unwieldy inefficiency. Muhyiddin choice of ministers is of great concern.

For an example, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man who is a religious ideologue was put into the position of minister for the environment when he has no record in advocating environmental issues in the country. 

Will he able to speak eloquently with facts from science in an international conference on climate change? He was basically busy with ethnoreligious politics for the past two years trying to bring down the Harapan government with ethnoreligious sentiments.

Now comes another PAS leader Abdul Hadi Awang who is chosen as a special envoy to the Middle East. Was he merely chosen due his credentials as an Islamic leader of a political party or is its due competency as an envoy who understands the complexity of issues in relation to West Asia where one has to deal with issues beyond sectarian religious ideology?

A knowledgeable envoy possesses an abiding interest in and passion for the art and craft of diplomacy and international relations. It requires a broad knowledge of international politics and economy. An envoy should also be able to demonstrate an analytical temperament. 

Hadi’s political engagement has an ideological predisposition and rigidity that does not fit into the realm of international politics. In his politics, it is more of ethnoreligious sentiment rather than a full command of the facts. Furthermore, he does not have a universal moral vision that is inclusive when dealing with issues of justice. Justice to Hadi is from an Islamic sectarian point of view.

Therefore, it defies reason to chose an ideologue as an envoy. Malaysia should come up with a system where bipartisan interviews by parliamentarians with competency and knowledge on foreign affairs interview candidates nominated by the prime minister to see whether they qualify for particular ministerial responsibility. 

Ministerial positions, if vacant, should be taken by the most qualified candidate. In international affairs the nation needs competent leaders who are able to grasp issues through facts rather than ideology.

The writer is secretary, Association for Community and Dialogue.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.