During the administration of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, all Ministers and Deputy Ministers were reminded to never issue a support letter to anyone. 

Former Transport Minister, Anthony Loke Siew Fook told that this was especially the case when it comes to issuing such letters for the use of own party members. 

This advice was given by the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) through its former Chief, Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull. 

Furthermore, Anthony further stressed that not only support letters, but even minutes from Ministers have to be written with general words that could not influence any decision. 

“The only thing that is permissible is the use of the words ‘for consideration’ or ‘Please look into the matter’. That is the way of the PH government. Of course… PH Ministers is not that ‘power’. If you come to lobby Ministers is also useless.” said Anthony in a statement on 9 August (Sunday).

According to him, everything is different now as even a Deputy Minister is seen to have ‘enough power’ with issuance of support letters becoming fodders for party elections. 

“Anything is possible. Memang power! (Very powerful),” he said. 

Anthony also shared a screenshot of a newspaper report with the title ‘Video shows Bersatu Youth chief hopeful promising support letters for votes’ published by Malaysiakini on Sunday. 

Malaysiakini reported that a Bersatu National Youth (Armada) nominee, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal saying that as a Deputy Minister, he can ‘ease’ the matters of fellow Armada members through executive committees that will elected soon. 

The Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports was caught saying the matter via a leaked video clip when he was campaigning with Armada Pahang for the post of Bersatu Youth Chief that will be contested this 27 September.