PAS: TAN’S APPOINTMENT A MISTAKE
PH making the same mistake as BN by appointing DAP chief as special envoy to China, says deputy president
PAS has hit out at Putrajaya for following the previous Barisan Nasional government in selecting a political appointee as special envoy to China.
Pas deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the party regretted that the government had appointed DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai to replace Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting.
He said Pakatan Harapan had lambasted BN previously for appointing Tun S. Samy Vellu as special envoy to India, Ong as special envoy to China and Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing as special envoy to Japan, Korea and Taiwan.
Tuan Ibrahim, who is Kubang Kerian member of parliament, also touched on the government’s failure to deliver on its 100-day promises spelt out in the PH manifesto.
He said the government had cancelled many projects after claiming it had no money.
“The government is going around saying that it has no money, but it still wants to embark on another national car project. Now the people are shocked by Tan’s appointment.
“Tan’s appointment makes it look as if the people have been conned. The government must not repeat BN’s mistake... the coalition used to twist facts and cheat the people.”
The government had come under the spotlight over Tan’s appointment after PH previously said there would be no more political appointees in various posts.
However, DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke yesterday said Tan’s appointment did not contradict PH’s “no political appointee” policy.
He said Tan was appointed as a government representative to strengthen bilateral relations between Putrajaya and Beijing.
He said Tan’s appointment would strengthen both nations’ economic ties through trade and investment via the Malaysia-China Business Council (MCBC).
Loke, who is also transport minister, said Tan’s appointment was decided by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“We (PH) have always adhered to the promise that no politician will be appointed to lead any GLC (government-linked company).
“He (Tan) is a government representative and the prime minister is confident in him being an ambassador.
“MCBC is not a GLC,” he was quoted as saying.
In the Dewan Rakyat, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong said the government had yet to finalise the terms and conditions of Tan’s appointment.
“Although Dr Mahathir has agreed with the appointment, the terms and conditions have yet to be decided and informed to the cabinet Constitution and InterGovernmental Relations Division,” he said during the question-and-answer session.
He was replying to a question by Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong (BNAyer Hitam) on the number of special envoys appointed under the PH administration.
Liew said unlike an ambassador’s post, the appointment of special envoys was not made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“The appointment of special envoy is made on a contract basis and the post is not on the same level as a minister,” he said.