YOURSAY ‘Of course, Najib will allow it. It's leadership by example. After all, his own wife has set a precedent already.'

Najib okay with ministers hiring kin for no gov't pay

your say LittleGiant: I do not think it is right of a government minister or any member of the government administration to have the freedom to recruit a family member as his/her aide.

It is not a question of who pays the aide. The important thing to note is that the family member, appointed as the aide or special officer, acts not only as representative of the minister but also the government.

The government should therefore be concerned about the aide's qualification and credibility to hold the position.

Who takes responsibility for the character and conduct of such aides? What if these aides have criminal records? Would it not damage the government's image?

Just because they are not on its payroll, the government cannot simply discharge its liability on these aides and their actions, which by and large would show them as part of the government administration.

The bottom line is all aides, whether they are family members or not, should have the merit to hold the position and the government is liable for all their actions.

Caripasal: Being a special officer attached to the Tourism and Culture Ministry, Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz's son Nedim has the executive power, just like any other government servant.

Even if he does not draw a salary, he has the power to 'instruct' government servants to carry out his orders. This executive power is much more damaging than the monetary return.

He should not be given any power to run any committee within the ministry. This is similar to appointing a spy to a ministry even if the spy is not paid any salary.

Lexicon: There must be security checks even for so-called "voluntary" special officers. How could Nedim pass even the most rudimentary checks?

Unspin: PM Najib Razak or Nazri can waffle and wriggle on this matter but I can guarantee you that Nazri's ‘samseng' son will be telling all his friends and girls that he is trying to impress that he is a very important person working for the Tourism Ministry - salary, perks and all.

Ben-ghazi: Of course, Najib will allow it. It's leadership by example. After all, his own wife has set a precedent already. She operated from the FLOM (First Lady of Malaysia) office, using all the facilities available in the government building.

So, even though the government does not pay their salaries, what about the electricity and water used by these relatives? It is the taxpayers who are footing the bills.

Anonymous #79199503: Who on earth will work for free? What about petrol, mileage, expenses, entertainment, office stationery, etc, etc? Could these expenses be picked up by the 'employer'? I would like to have an aide under these conditions.

Onyourtoes: Dear PM, we have to be careful here, it is not so simple. If I am not mistaken, Nazri's son was officially listed as one of the officials in the ministry.

Even if he was not listed, by doing the work on behalf of the minister/ministry would imply that he is a staff of the ministry. That being the case, it has far reaching implications.

The public will perceive that he is officially an officer of the ministry and therefore able to make and implement decisions on behalf of the ministry.

If he had created blunders or committed corruption or breach of trust, how does the ministry take action against him if he is was not on its payroll?

Mohican: Some idiots only break their silence for insignificant issues when there are bigger issues to be addressed. Small wonder ex-leaders label such idiots as weak and have no backbone.

Well Thats Fantastic: I think in Australia they refer to this kind of political malpractice as "jobs for the boys" and it is not allowed and is heavily investigated if it is suspected.

So how is he authorised to be on premises as a volunteer? Is he taking a job from someone that really needs the job? Or is this just that daddy can't trust him to be idle as he is always getting into trouble?

How about when he gets into trouble now, what can he be punished with? He can't be fired as he is allegedly not being paid.

Clearwater: What utter nonsense is this? Nedim is listed as special officer in the ministry's website, is that not official? If he is not an official aide, why is he on the list? Now don't tell us the list is unofficial or that the website contains an error.

Anonymous #88188: We are not as stupid as you, Najib. Someone in that position, not wishing to receive official salary, is aiming to have influence and power so that he can get "side income" and "back-door income".

Anonymous_3da6: When he presents his calling card, does he said he is not from the ministry but employed by his dad?

Whoever looks at his calling card will accord him the benefits that fits the portfolio. Now how does one differentiate what role is he playing when discussing official matters?

A precedent has been set. Soon all ministers will have their family members helping them out with expenses paid by the rakyat. Like that, I also want to be a close relative of the minister.

Anonymous_3da6: Soon a minister will employ a mistress as special officer to provide ‘special services' whenever the minister is stressed.

Of course, she will not be paid by the government but the minister can claim expenses.

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