SERDANG, May 12 — Politicians appointed to head government agencies are merely chairmen, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said today.

The agriculture and food security minister, popularly known as Mat Sabu, said such agencies and committees usually have many members who are experts in their respective fields to provide the necessary advice and input.

"No, it doesn’t go against principles,” he told reporters when asked if political appointments were against the Pakatan Harapan coalition’s principles.

Appointments were discussed among the leadership and the main qualification looked at was community involvement, he explained.

So-called elites cannot be appointed as such positions would involve issues related to sectors of the community such as fishermen, he added.

When asked about those who failed to gain seats in the general election held last year (GE15) but were still "rewarded” with appointments, Mat Sabu seemingly pointed to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as an example, saying that the latter’s performance was good.

"Those who lost in GE15 still managed to become the home minister now.

"What are you going to say about it? And his performance is good,” he said.

In March, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reportedly said that the government will not appoint any person who is unable to contribute to the organisation or agency they are meant to lead.

All appointments are based on Cabinet guidelines and on the advice of the prime minister, he reportedly said.

On the same day, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke reportedly said that political appointments in government-linked companies (GLCs) were not listed in Bursa Malaysia.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had informed him that the former did not wish to appoint politicians to such positions, Loke reportedly said.

He reportedly added that a majority of politicians were appointed to statutory bodies and not GLCs.