PM's 'appointees' are village heads, not ministers, Kamil defuses C4

Summary

• Anwar Ibrahim’s aide Kamil Abdul Munim says C4 Center misunderstood the latter’s statement over political appointments.

• Kamil says Anwar stressed that political appointments are only for village chief positions.

• This is to ensure grassroots leaders can continue to serve as a bridge between the government and rakyat.

A political secretary to Anwar Ibrahim has come to the latter’s defence over criticisms from the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center).

This came after the group lambasted Anwar yesterday over his speech at the recent PKR national congress, where he narrated a story about rewarding a loyal supporter by making him a village chief.

Kamil Abdul Munim (above) claimed C4 Center had misunderstood the context of the prime minister's remarks and was being rash in its criticism.

According to the newly-minted PKR Youth chief, such political appointments are only for village chief positions so grassroots leaders can continue to serve as a bridge between the government and rakyat.

Kamil added that Anwar is not using important positions like menteri besar and GLCs CEO posts for such rewards.

"The RM500 and RM600 he meant were for appointed village heads…not (making them) ministers or CEOs (of government companies).

"This has always been the practice. Grassroots leaders who run (party) machinery have to be given roles in the community so they can continue to be a bridge between the rakyat and the government of the day.

"Such an appointment is reasonable and not in any way an abuse of power.

"It is not rewarding them with power, but as a token of appreciation for their commitment towards efforts to help the rakyat.

“The difference (now is), those to be appointed must be clean from any criminal record, wrongdoings and capable of carrying out their duties well," Kamil told Malaysiakini.

During his winding-up speech at the congress on Saturday, Anwar, who is also PKR president, narrated his personal story about a loyal supporter called “Pak Kudus” from Tanjung Karang, Selangor.

Story of ‘Pak Kudus’

According to Anwar, the former cop had been very supportive of his struggle after being fired from Dr Mahathir Mohamad's cabinet in 1998.

“Pak Kudus” was said to have used his own money to do work for Anwar despite surviving on a meagre RM1,800 monthly pension then.

"...so after we came into power in Selangor, I was thinking that we should give him some position, maybe as a village chief or something like that - so he can get some allowances.

"But I still could remember the dialogues then. Yes, we should give positions to those who are qualified. (But) this is not (making him) a minister, or a CEO, or a menteri besar.

"We just give something we can for him to earn about RM500 to RM600 a month for several years, so he can get some rewards while we have the power.

"To me, such a thing should be allowed and this is not abuse of power," Anwar had said.

Anwar, however, has defended political appointments to GLCs and GLICs in the past.

In October last year he told the Dewan Rakyat that such appointees were professionals.

He said that politicians were only barred from joining the boards of financial institutions and several related agencies.

In response to Anwar’s speech on Saturday, C4 Center branded Anwar's remarks as a "chilling indicator" of his apparent disregard for the fight against corruption and cronyism.

It also warned the government against exploiting GLCs for political or financial gain, noting that their primary mission is to generate socio-economic growth for Malaysia.

Anwar: Timor-Leste on track to full Asean membership by October

Zaid toys with 'bold' Rafizi as MACC chief

COMMENT | Zambry's diversity, access to education claims are humbug

PAS MP urges govt rethink its 'vague' subsidy plan