Minister gives Isa Samad one week to resign as Spad boss

Isa Samad has been given a week to tender his resignation as acting chairperson of the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad).

“I hope as a former minister, he can do the honourable thing and resign,” said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He said Isa should emulate the example of Shahrir Samad who voluntarily resigned as Felda chairperson last week.

The one-week deadline comes in the wake of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announcing that Spad would be abolished.

He said that Spad's responsibilities would be taken over by the Transport Ministry.

Berita Harian quoted Isa as saying he had no problem with Spad being dissolved though he made no mention of resigning.

Loke asked other political appointees under the ministry to also resign within a week.

"They know who they are […] I don't like to embarrass people," he said.

Loke said Spad staff would be absorbed by the ministry but employees with overlapping functions would be subject to the government's downsizing exercise.

Dissolving Spad would have to wait until Parliament convenes as the commission exists under its own Act.

In the meantime, Spad will continue to carry out its duties subject to Transport Ministry oversight, said Loke. -Mkini