DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang has asked if Malaysia is suffering from an attack of “adviser mania” after receiving reports that the Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob will bee appointing another special adviser.
Lim then raises the question if Ismail Sabri Yaakob will eventually have 31 special advisers, shadowing the 38 ministers in the Cabinet, with each minister also having a special adviser.
This comes after the announcement by special functions minister Abdul Latiff Ahmad that Ismail will be getting another special adviser to assist him on matters related to health.
Latif said there were 3 special advisers roles to the Prime Minister currently, on law and human rights, religious affairs, and health.
The Pengerang MP Azalina Othman Said and Kedah UMNO Chief Jamil Khir Baharom have filled up the first two roles respectively, but the special health adviser is “still in the process of being appointed”.
Previously, it was reported that each special adviser costs the Malaysian government RM50,000 a month inclusive of staff and operations of their respective offices.
In his blog, Lim said Malaysia may reach a stage where there will be no need for a weekly Cabinet meeting in the future and they can be replaced by weekly special advisers’ meetings.
“What is the justification for the appointment of the prime minister’s special advisers on portfolios when there are already ministers?”
“Is this not a reflection of (Ismail’s) lack of confidence in the ministers concerned?” he asked.
Lim then criticise the unnecessary appointments in government-linked companies, as well as the regional special envoys when there were already ambassadors to each country.
He then cited the special envoy to the Middle East “who cannot visit Saudi Arabia”.
