PUTRAJAYA: Ministers and their deputies will no longer be allowed to issue letters of support for any tender or proposals submitted to the government.
Education Minister, Dr Maszlee Malik, said the matter was decided in Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting to ensure transparency and good governance within the administration.
Maszlee said that at his ministry level, the practice of issuing any letter of support, especially those involving financial implications, is discouraged, but can be given exemption if it involves pressing issues such as health.
"Usually, Members of Parliament and the State Legislative Assembly feel that it is their responsibility (to issue support letters) as they know their constituents better.
"For example, if they give a letter of support for leave application because of illness. Although it is not recommended but if the issue is urgent, it will be considered," he told a media conference here today.
Meanwhile, Maszlee said he had already requested vice-chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor of universities who are not in sync with the new government to retire honorably while those whose contracts were about to expire would not be renewed again.
“I have personally met them behind closed-doors and relayed the Cabinet’s message that we want this to be done voluntarily. We do not want two-faced people,” he said.
He also gave his assurance that the appointments of these two positions would from now be free of political influence. Selections, he said, would be based on recommendations by the universities and that an interview process would be required.
Asked on suggestions that the University and University Colleges Act (AUKU) be brought to Parliament next month, Maszlee said the government is giving its priority to matters pertaining to Pakatan Harapan’s 100-day manifesto first.