KUALA LUMPUR: It is merely a coincidence if key positions in government-linked companies (GLCs) are held by those with political alignments, says Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof (pic).

Mohd Redzuan said there were key agencies being helmed by people having good professional qualifications but that they may separately have political alignments.

"If they have a political alignment, perhaps it's coincidental and that's not my choice.

"Anyone can have alignments to any party but the bottom line is all appointments to GLCs are based on merit," he said.

He was responding to a recent report by think-tank Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) that the GLC reform under Pakatan Harapan was to benefit Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, which is headed by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The IDEAS report found that control of nine major corporations under the Finance Ministry was transferred to the Prime Minister's Department under Dr Mahathir's watch, the revived Entrepreneur Development Ministry, as well as the newly formed Economic Affairs Ministry.

IDEAS also found that the corporations divested from the Finance Ministry are now held by Bersatu and PKR through the Prime Minister's Department, the Entrepreneur Development Ministry, the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, as well as the Economic Affairs Ministry.

"Have a look at the Bersatu hierarchy, who are those people appointed holding key positions in GLCs? I don't see any.

"I suggest relook again all the appointments of GLCs and I don't think they are political.

"I think they are apolitical and based on merit rather than political alignment.

"I think it's a baseless finding if IDEAS were to say a lot of parties benefited from Bersatu or other component parties," he told reporters at Parliament on Thursday (Oct 31).

Mohd Redzuan also said that there are no Bersatu division chiefs or members specifically appointed to his ministry on the basis of their political links.

"Those in Mara I have no comments. But my ministry has specific procedures when it comes to appointments, it needs to have the consent of the Prime Minister and if it involves the Finance Ministry, then we need to get their view on it," he said.