KUALA LUMPUR: The return of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the Prime Minister has brought back cronyism, MCA has alleged.

“Before the 14th General Election, MCA had already warned that the return of Dr Mahathir will bring back ‘Mahathirism’, especially cronyism. Now that he is back and since Pakatan Harapan formed the government, there had been several issues related to cronyism,” MCA publicity bureau deputy chief Mike Chong Yew Chuan told a press conference yesterday.

He cited a few examples including the awarding of RM11.16mil contract to Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir’s firm Opcom Holdings Bhd by Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM), and the appointment of Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd as one of the fuel suppliers for government vehicles on Aug 3 last year.

These awards stirred criticism, stemming from the connection of these companies to Dr Mahathir’s sons. Mirzan Mahathir is a director of Petron Corp.

Chong also said Pakatan’s manifesto clearly stated that only those with capabilities and professionals who were free from political influences would be appo­in­t­ed directors of government-linked companies.

“But some of the appointments contradicted the manifesto,” he said.