Govt's GLC appointments still based on loyalty, not merit, says Dr M
Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysia was once viewed as a model nation, with appointments largely based on capability.
KUALA LUMPUR : Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has voiced concern over what he sees as a continued lack of meritocracy in appointments to government-linked companies (GLCs).
Mahathir, who served as Malaysia's fourth and seventh prime minister, said political loyalty often outweighs ability in the selection of candidates for key positions.
'There's a lot of official interference in Malaysia. If someone is not pro-government, they don't get the job. If they support the government, they do. It's not about merit,' he told FMT in an interview.
Reflecting on his time in office, Mahathir said Malaysia was once regarded as a model country, where appointments were largely based on ability.
Data from watchdog site Pantau Kuasa shows that Mahathir's second stint as prime minister (2018–2020) saw the fewest political appointments among the last five federal administrations — 86 in total, comprising 13 to GLCs and 73 to federal statutory bodies (FSBs).
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's current government has made 95 such appointments, 16 to GLCs and 79 to FSBs, the second-lowest tally.
In contrast, Najib Razak's administration recorded 301 political appointments between 2016 and May 2018, the highest number, comprising 32 to GLCs and 269 to FSBs.
Mahathir conceded that even during his administration, appointments were not entirely merit-based, as racial balance had to be factored in.
When asked whether meritocracy was applied within the Bumiputera community during his tenure, Mahathir said opportunities were given to capable individuals, but the results varied.
'Some did well, but even if you choose the best people, you cannot be certain they're going to succeed,' he said.
Earlier this year, Mahathir said that while affirmative action under the New Economic Policy (NEP) remains relevant, it should eventually be phased out.
He said some Bumiputeras had found success as entrepreneurs, but many failed due to entrenched mindsets not suited to the demands of running a business.
Still, he expressed hope that Bumiputeras would make use of the policy's provisions, while they remain in place, to bridge socio-economic gaps with other communities.
The NEP, introduced in 1971 by then prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein, was aimed at addressing economic disparities among ethnic groups through affirmative action programmes favouring the Bumiputeras.
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