Appointment to agencies based on expertise, competence – Salahuddin
PUTRAJAYA: Individual appointments to any agencies under the Agriculture and Agrobased Industry Ministry are based on their competence and expertise and are not solely as political appointment, says its Minister Datuk Salahuddin Ayub.
Apart from appointing technocrats and professionals, the ministry also considered the capability and commitment of the individual for the task, he said.
“This is the promise even though there are politicians but we will ensure the appointments are not only solely political,” he told a media conference after a presentation of appointment letter for the Muda Agriculture Development Board (MADA) chairman to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir here yesterday.
According to Salahuddin, Mukhriz’s appointment effective March 1 was fitting as a leader for the development of padi and rice because as the agency chairman, he is the state’s Menteri Besar and a local boy.
“Apart from focusing on raising the self-sufficiency level ( SSL) of padi, we also want to improve the income of padi farmers, the majority of whom are in the B40 group.
“As such, it is important for us to modernise the industry including using the internet of things, artificial intelligence as well as using the correct fertilizers and soil profiling,” he said.
Mukhriz said his appointment as MADA chairman should not be looked at as an individual appointment.
“My appointment as MADA chairman is not as an individual but the appointment of the entire Kedah state government machinery to ensure MADA achieves its objectives,” he said.