Abdul Manaf’s appointment as adviser not a form of reward, says Perak MB

December 28, 2020

© Provided by New Straits Times This Dec 23 picture shows Perak Menteri Besar, Datuk Saarani Mohamad (left) presenting letter of appointment to Datuk Abd Manap Hashim at his office in Ipoh. -NSTP/SHARUL HAFIZ ZAM

IPOH: Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad today has denied rumours that claimed the appointment of Pengkalan Baharu assemblyman Datuk Abdul Manaf Hashim as his exco-level adviser was a reward for the latter.

“There is no such thing as a reward. The Exco-level adviser position was left vacant by Zainol (Bersatu-Sungai Manik assemblyman Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin) so it needed to be filled.

“We decided to choose him as he is among the senior assemblymen and we are confident of his capabilities to fulfil his duty. So there is no such thing as reward or promises.

“When the position was left vacant, I needed to fill it, and we decided to choose the right one. Among the criteria was that the person must be a senior assemblyman,” he said.

Saarani told reporters this after attending the state-level Green Programme Malaysia at Taman Eko-Rimba Kledang Saiong here, today.

On Wednesday, Saarani announced the appointment of Abdul Manaf as his Exco-level advisor, and Alor Pongsu assemblyman Datuk Sham Mat Sahat as his political advisor.

Saarani added that Abdul Manaf has vast experience in the corporate field since he used to be a board member of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).

On Dec 4, Abdul Manaf, the two-term assemblyman, had tabled a motion of confidence for former Perak Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu in the 14th state legislative assembly sitting.

Ahmad Faizal lost the support of the majority in the state legislative assembly with only 10 out of 59 assemblymen supporting him, with 48 voting against the motion and one abstaining.

NSTP