MSM chairman: I’m not a political appointee

KUALA LUMPUR: MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd chairman Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid has assured investors he is not a political appointee of the previous government and that he serves the company professionally.

“I am not a political appointee. I am here to serve MSM Malaysia. I am not a member of any political party. My stint here is up to the board of MSM Malaysia,” said Azhar after the company’s shareholders meeting, here, yesterday.

He was appointed to the MSM Malaysia board in September last year.

Early this year, MSM Malaysia president and group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Mohamad Amri Sahari left his position, claiming he was constructively dismissed.

“We didn’t intend for Amri to leave us. We will follow the due process in appointing the new CEO for MSM Malaysia, post-July 2018,” said Azhar.

Politically-appointed heads of government-linked companies who campaigned for the Barisan Nasional (BN) government in the run-up to the 14th General Election are now under intense scrutiny following the change in government after May 9.

On May 14, former Johor Baru member of parliament Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad stepped down from his position as chairman of the Federal Land Development Authority.

A week later, Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Rahim relinquished his position as chairman of Tabung Haji.

On June 1, Petroliam Nasional Bhd director Datuk Mohd Omar Mustapha tendered his resignation. In the same month, Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly resigned as Telekom Malaysia Bhd group CEO.

Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Muhammad Ibrahim had also stepped down.

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd CEO Datuk Mohd Badlisham Ghazali’s contract, which ends this month, has also not been renewed.