Pas hits out appointment of DAP chairman as envoy to China

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 – Pas has hit out at Putrajaya for following the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) 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 (PH) had lambasted BN previously for appointing (Tun) Samy Velly as special envoy to India, Ong (China) and Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (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 as spelt out in PH manifesto.

He said the government had cancelled many people-centric projects after claiming it had no money.

“The government is going round saying that it has no money but it still wants to embark on another national car project and now the people were shocked by Tan’s appointment.

“Tan’s appointment makes it look as though the people were conned. “The government must not repeat BN’s mistake…the coalition used to twist the facts and cheat the people,” he said.

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 does 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 that Tan’s appointment is hoped to play a role in strengthening 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 also decided by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“We (PH) have always adhered to the promise that no political person 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. © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd