KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated that only those who were qualified  or met  proper criteria were appointed into the board of directors of federal statutory bodies  and Ministry of Finance (Incorporated) firms.

In a written reply uploaded on the parliament's website, he said that the appointments were based on ability, diversity of background and appropriate expertise and taking into account the needs and core business of the statutory bodies and the companies  to enable the Board of Directors to operate at an optimal level.

"The appointments are not done for the sake of filling the positions. 

"Instead, it is based on the needs of each statutory body and Ministry of FInance (Incorporated) firms, taking into account the background and abilities of an individual from various angles to be a member of its Board of Directors," he said today. 

He was answering a question posed by Kota Baru member of parliament Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan. 

Anwar said all board appointments, including political appointments, will have to go through a screening process to ensure the candidates are suitable for the role.

He said that candidates for Ministry of Finance(Incorporated) firms listed on Bursa Malaysia were scrutinised by the companies' Nomination and Remuneration Committee. 

The candidates were then vetted by the Securities Commission, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, insolvency department, chief registrar's office of the Federal Court, and Bank Negara Malaysia.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/05/913017/anwar-only-qualified-candidates-appointed-federal-statutory-bodies-mof