Politicians should not be directors of government-linked companies, said political analyst Terence Gomez.

Speaking to reporters after attending a meeting with the Council of Eminent Persons, the Universiti Malaya political economy professor emphasised that politicians should not be involved in GLCs as they would use the corporations to serve their political interests.

He also called for statutory bodies to remain independent and not to be influenced by politicians, unless they were appointed as cabinet ministers.

The overall role of GLCs should also be reviewed to determine whether they should be commercially or socially oriented, said Gomez.

"GLCs must have clear goals. Do we need GLCs to deal with social issues?" he added.

When asked whether GLCs should be done away with, he said it was still a matter of discussion at the moment but a clear stand on the role of GLCs must be made once and for all.

- Bernama