No wages paid to ex-Apco boss, says Shahidan

Minister does not however confirm or deny the former chief's alleged role as a member of the PM’s Department’s communications team

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has never paid any wages to Paul Stadlen, the former boss of public relations firm Apco Malaysia, said Shahidan Kassim.

Apco Malaysia is the Kuala Lumpur branch of Apco Worldwide.

In a written parliamentary reply to Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (PAS-Sepang), the minister in the Prime Minister’s department did not however confirm or deny Stadlen’s alleged role as a member of the Prime Minister’s Department’s communications team.

“Until now, the government has not made any payment of wages to Paul Stadlen,” the Malay Mail Online quoted Shahidan as saying.

Hanipa had asked the minister to reveal the amount paid to the former Apco Malaysia boss and a breakdown of the PM department’s list of official advisers and their fees.

In the reply, Shahidan said that Prime Minister Najib Razak has four advisers – Abdullah Md Zin, Mohd Johari Baharum, Dr Rais Yatim and Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

“The government pays wages and allowances according to each person’s expertise,” Shahidan added but did not elaborate.

Opposition leaders have demanded Putrajaya disclose the details of Stadlen’s reported employment with the Prime Minister’s Office.

In February, DAP national adviser Lim Kit Siang said he had submitted specific verbal questions to Najib, asking him to confirm an allegation made by the Sarawak Report website that Stadlen was allegedly being paid millions of ringgit for his communications policy.