Social media is abuzz over the appointments of Wanita Umno chief Noraini Ahmad as Risda chairman and former Kapar MP Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid as Tekun Nasional chairman.
PETALING JAYA: News of more politicians being appointed to government-linked companies (GLCs) is being spread on social media at a time when many Malaysians are hitting out at the unity government for this practice.
The latest buzz on social media is the apparent appointment of Parit Sulong MP Noraini Ahmad as chairman of the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda), which is a federal agency.
According to congratulatory messages posted on the agency’s Facebook page, the appointment of the Wanita Umno chief to the post is expected to be announced next week.
Noraini was not reachable for comment, but a source close to the former higher education minister confirmed she had been appointed as the Risda chairman.
“Just wait for the official announcement,” the source said.
Two weeks ago, former Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki was appointed as the new Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman.
The appointment of Asyraf who lost in the last general election came under heavy fire from the opposition and also economists, who said Mara, being one of the largest GLCs, needed a more capable person to be its chairman.
They also said this appeared to be a political reward for his unflinching support for Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that Hulu Langat MP Sany Hamzan, from Amanah, has been made deputy chairman of Tekun Nasional, a government loan provider for Bumiputera entrepreneurs.
His appointment was revealed in a letter from the prime minister’s office which has gone viral. The letter, which has not been verified, also states former Kapar MP Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid being named as Tekun Nasional chairman.
In a brief text, Sany confirmed his appointment but Abdullah could not be reached for comment.
In the same letter, former Sabah chief minister and long-time federal minister Bernard Dompok was also named as SME Corp chairman.
Source: Free Malaysia Today
