Professor: Opposition copying what Umno has been doing

(MMO) – Federal opposition parties holding power in some states are mimicking Umno by putting their own people on the boards of government-linked corporations (GLCs), Prof Dr Terence Gomez said today.

The Universiti Malaya lecturer who was part of a Transparency International (Malaysia) team that had proposed reforms to political funding here, criticised the adoption of the practice that is blamed for the political-business nexus in Malaysia.

“The GLC directorship in the states governed by the opposition, such as in Selangor, is concerning. They are doing what Umno has been doing,” he said during the Malaysian Bar’s International Law Conference here today.

“Directorship of GLCs must be held by professionals,” said Terence who is with the Faculty of Economics and Administration from Universiti of Malaya.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who was also speaking on the panel, said that some appointments are made because they are mandated by statutory requirements.

“And some other appointments, I cannot not appoint people from PKR,” he said. “But there is a mix. There are professionals running the show as well.”

But Lim stressed that he was not claiming that the Penang administration is “perfect”, adding that he was open to feedback.

“We welcome criticism and we want to improve,” he added, while also offering the list of appointments to be given to Terence.