GLCs are not an ‘ATM’ to pay party loyalists, Bersih tells Muhyiddin

Electoral reform group Bersih has reminded Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin that government-linked companies (GLCs) are not ATMs to pay the salaries of its supporters.

In a statement, Bersih said that it is an affront to good governance and an abuse of state power to “reward” one’s political operatives.

“GLCs are companies that exist to safeguard and grow public wealth and are not political parties’ ATM to put party loyalists on the state’s payroll.

“In openly declaring his intention, we also wonder if it is a form of vote buying to secure the support of certain groups,” it said.

Bersih’s comment came after Muhyiddin’s open promise of political appointments to GLCs if the coalition wins the state elections.

Earlier this week, Muhyiddin (above) reportedly said that PN was ready to form the government in all six election states and had allocated administrative posts, including heads of state GLCs.

He said that PN, which is set to contest in all 245 seats, was keen to avoid bickering over positions should it win the elections.

On possible backlash arising from appointing politicians to GLCs, Muhyiddin added that the coalition government was doing the “same thing”.

Bersih said that this form of “political patronage” had unfortunately become part of Malaysia’s political culture.

“Bersih has been consistent as a watchdog and pressure group throughout all the different administrations across the years that no elected representatives should be appointed to GLCs as their primary responsibility is to their voters and to be lawmakers instead of serving as company directors.

“For unelected politicians, we must put in place a clear and rigorous process to ensure transparency and that only suitably qualified individuals are appointed as they are entrusted with public assets,” it said.

It added that voters must choose wisely in the upcoming state elections to ensure that parties or candidates who are committed to institutional reforms to end corruption are elected.

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