Integrity essential in selection of political appointees, as leaders need to be genuinely committed to serving nation Pix for representational purpose only.
PETALING JAYA: Although it may not be practical, given partisan considerations, it is good for political appointees to be knowledgeable in matters related to their positions.
For instance, Henry Paulson was chairman and chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs when he was tapped by President George W. Bush to head the Department of Treasury in 2006.
His background in financial matters made him an obvious choice for the position.
In Malaysia, the health minister in the Pakatan Harapan administration Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and his deputy Dr Lee Boon Chye, are experts in the medical field.
PETALING JAYA: Unlike its tropical rainforests, any diversity left in the Perak government has all but disappeared.
Newly sworn in Mentri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad (
pix) has stated in no uncertain terms that there will be neither Chinese nor Indian representation in his administration, given that they are already represented at other levels of government.
While this is not entirely unexpected given that all Perikatan Nasional (PN) assemblymen are Malay, he could have saved the day by giving oversight authority to selected non-Malay members of the state assembly, most of whom are from the Opposition, Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Political scientist Dr Wong Chin Huat said Saarani could set up select committees and pick non-Malay assemblymen as heads. These committees will be authorised to scrutinise the government administration.
Only half the battle won
Passing of Budget 2021 not representative of invincibility, say political analysts 16 Dec 2020 / 11:34 H. Seeking blessings. Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (third from right) and members of the Cabinet recite a doa at the Parliament lobby yesterday. Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) first budget squeaked in by a narrow margin at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, an indication that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s hold on power remains precarious.
Most analysts and political stakeholders are of the view that yesterday’s vote was hardly an indication of support for Muhyiddin as prime minister.
The lone contrarian voice, Prof Dr Jeniri Amir, who is senior fellow at the Malaysian Council of Professors, noted that this gave Muhyiddin the opportunity to consolidate his position in the driver’s seat.