By News Editor
A copy of the supporting letter written by the deputy of the Ministry of Defence, Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz that mentioned to appoint his son to be one of the board of directors of Pharmaniaga, according to social media last night.
The related letter was dated 5th of June 2020 and it was sent to the Minister of Defence, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, containing the handwriting of Ismail that being recorded as a minute to the chairman of the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) with the agreement of the proposal above.
While communicating with Malaysia Kini on yesterday evening, Ismail admitted the mentioned letter and his handwriting that shows “I agree”.
One of the members of the parliament in the district of Bera mentioned that he supported Ikmal Hassan, son of Ikmal Hisham to be appointed as he has relevant knowledge in business as well as politics.
“Yes, I will support him. He (Hazlan) in a businessman, where his experience and knowledge are beneficial and useful. From a political perspective, he is one of the EXCO members of UMNO Youth,” said Ismail.
However, when he was being asked by Malaysia Kini, how would it caused a nepotism issue when Hazlan is the son of the deputy, and Ismail admitted his worries regarding the issue.
According to Ismail, this is the reason why he shows his support but never makes another move on appointing Hazlan.
“Yes (I agree this could be one of the nepotism issues), and this is the reason why I didn’t appoint him,” said Ismail.
Comprehended that there are a few vacancies available from the board of directors in the pharmacy company as there are 3 members who are retiring before the company’s Annual General Meeting on 20th July.
Hence, the company appointed 3 new members to the board of directors, as mentioned in Bursa Malaysia on the 3rd of August.
The members are Azhar Ahmad, Najmil Faiz Mohamed Aris, and Zulkifli Jafar.
Malaysia Kini also contacted Ikmal Hisham to get his comment regarding the issue.
For the record, the main shareholders in Pharmaniaga are Boustead Holdings.
LTAT holds the majority of the shares in Boustead as well as a part of the shares in Pharmaniaga.
According to the LinkedIn profile that owned by Ikmal Hazlan, the working experience included the position as a director in managing the affairs of vehicle distributor and the head of the committee of Social Economic Malaysia in the Parliament Malaysia.
He also enlisted the position of Executive Director under a company and a managing director in a company of luxury car distribution.
Meanwhile, the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre) suspected the supporting letter publication.
The director, Cynthia Gabriel told Malaysia Kini that the action made is considered as a misused authority and requested the prime minister, Muhyiddin Yassin to take strict action on the mentioned issue.
“If is official, the government of National Alliance (PN), especially the prime minister, Muhyiddin have a lot of questions to answer.
“First of all, this is an obvious misused in authority from the deputy minister. It should not be a published supporting letter if the oath from the prime minister to look at the corruption issue seriously.
“This is how the competitors are eliminated and denying their relationship of politics to succeed.
“Muhyiddin has to make a strict action immediately,” mentioned through the phone call. – Malaysia Kini
