Size of government administration not based on political considerations - Redzuan

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (JPM) (Special Functions), Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof has denied that the size of the current government administration is based on political considerations.

Instead, he said, the size of the members of the government administration was made based on the current needs of the country affected by COVID-19.

He also explained about the appointment of special ambassadors to enhance foreign relations, economy and the development of strategic projects.

"The appointment of these special ambassadors is not to take on the tasks that have been implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but in addition to complement the tasks in further increasing opportunities for the country," he said when debating the Supply Bill on JPM at the committee stage.

The question was raised by Port Dickson Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who asked on the appropriateness of the additional allocation of RM482 million to JPM, which was an increase of 10.7 per cent compared to last year.

The Opposition Leader also described the political appointments such as Special Ambassadors to West Asia, China, Korea. Taiwan and Japan as irrelevant when the country was facing COVID-19.

Commenting further, Mohd Redzuan said, looking at the administrative structure there are 60 agencies compared to 56 agencies previously.

"Pakatan Harapan (PH) had 28 ministers, Perikatan Nasional (PN) has just four more, namely 32 ministers. PH had 27deputy ministers and PN has 37 deputy ministers but the ministries have increased from 25 (under PH) and now we have 27 ministries," he said.

"Regarding the question (from MP for) Port Dickson, the allocation has only increased by RM108 million compared to last year. There is no appointment of politically appointed contract staff using this allocation," he explained.

Redzuan said the allocation of RM200 million raised was actually for the Civil Defence Force, Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM), National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), mufti office and so on.