Decline SPAD appointment, Isa Samad told

PETALING JAYA: Former Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad should decline his appointment as Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) acting chairman, a civil society group said today.
Centre for a Better Tomorrow (Cenbet) said this should be the case pending the completion of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) probe into FGV, as it would only make his appointment more controversial.
“Such a move is not an admission of guilt. On the contrary, it would demonstrate his commitment to upholding integrity and good governance,” it said in a statement today.
The group, which advocates transparency and good governance, said it was deeply concerned on how Isa has been made to helm SPAD even as controversy lingers over his stewardship of FGV.
“Appointments to key positions in government agencies and GLCs should not be treated as a game of musical chairs.
“A person holding any key positions, where public funds and statutory powers are vested, must not only be upright and accountable, but must be seen to be so,” it said.
Cenbet also urged the government to consider reviewing the practice of appointing or transferring controversial figures into key government or GLC positions, claiming that such a practise would send the wrong message about public accountability.
Isa, who was involved in a boardroom tussle at FGV which resulted in the group CEO Datuk Zakaria Arshad and three others being forced on a leave of absence, was immediately appointed as SPAD acting chairman after stepping down as FGV chairman on June 19.