Azmin dismisses study findings on PM’s ‘Bersatu-centric’ GLC restructuring

Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali today dismissed findings by think- tank Ideas that the restructuring of ministerial purview of major government-linked companies (GLCs) and state agencies heavily favoured the Bersatu party.

Azmin, who is PKR deputy president, further denied that he was aligned with Bersatu or Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in attempting to shore up fiscal control.

Instead, the minister told reporters today that the entire Pakatan Harapan cabinet was working as a team to rebuild the economy.

“The decision to restructure the ministries was discussed in cabinet and this Ministry of Economic Affairs (MEA) is a new ministry.

“We thought, with the challenges and the need to focus on economic issues...that’s why the prime minister decided to form the new ministry.

“Of course, there are some agencies, but not all agencies, that will be parked under the MEA,” Azmin told reporters in Parliament today.

"It is my mission to rebuild the economy.

“It is not about me having allies with Bersatu or with any other personalities," he added.

Azmin said among the agencies transferred to his ministry were the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority's (Risda), Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra).

He was commenting on the release of Ideas' "GLC Monitor 2019: State of Play Since GE14" report today.

According to the report, changes made to the ministerial reporting lines for multiple GLCs in five key ministries appeared to benefit Bersatu, of which Mahathir is chairperson.

The study found that the control of nine major corporations under the Finance Ministry was transferred to the Prime Minister’s Department under Mahathir (below), the revived Entrepreneur Development Ministry under Bersatu’s Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, and Azmin’s ministry.

It is also noted that key government enterprises were transferred out from the Finance Ministry, helmed by DAP’s Lim Guan Eng, to the Prime Minister’s Department.

This included major government-linked investment companies (GLICs) such as Khazanah Nasional and Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) which it claimed accorded the premier “significant influence over them”.

The findings noted that effective control of other GLCs and agencies with a clear mandate to support the development of bumiputeras in the economy were transferred to the Economic Affairs Ministry.

On Mahathir's purported control over the economy, Azmin said the prime minister delegated control to his cabinet.

“No, he delegates, that’s the reason why some of the agencies used to be under Prime Minister’s Office, now he has delegated to other ministries, and we work as a team.

“You must understand that most cabinet members are new, but we are prepared to learn, we are committed to working as a team, and we need Dr M (Mahathir) to continue and lead us for the next few years,” he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Azmin also expressed puzzlement when questioned on the delay in the pilot pineapple-planting project at Felda Sg Tengi in Hulu Selangor.

The government had previously identified pineapple as an alternative cash crop for Felda settlements, as part of the government’s efforts to increase settlers' incomes.

However, despite being launched last December, the pilot project has yet to take off.

“I do not know the specifics (for the project delay) [...] but on principle, there should be no excuse given as there is allocation, (hence) work must be carried out quickly to help the Felda settlers,” he said.

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