Former education minister Dr Maszlee Malik has turned down his appointment as Mara Corp advisory committee chairman.
Mara Corp is the business arm of Majlis Amanah Raya (Mara).
The Bersatu politician said all appointments should be based on accountability to voters and the public.
“I take note of news linking my name with an appointment to a government agency.
“I believe any appointment is a mandate from the people and should be returned to the people.

“The people’s interest should be the guiding principle and not personal gain.
“My decision has to be in line with the mandate given to me by supporters and Simpang Renggam voters, as well as Malaysians,” he said in a Facebook post.
Maszlee also said he is more focused on addressing the people’s economic concerns due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In my constituency, there are many families who need help. I can’t accept this appointment, as we must focus on ensuring that people’s lives are given some stability.
Maszlee’s appointment was announced yesterday and was to be effective May 15.
The Simpang Renggam MP is said to be aligned to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who also remains a Bersatu member despite his Pakatan Harapan administration being ousted from Putrajaya in late February.
The coup involved Dr Mahathir’s ally and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, who is now prime minister.
Maszlee had initially sided with Muhyiddin’s faction in Bersatu, Umno, PAS and ex-PKR leaders to form a new government, with Muhyiddin as prime minister.
But he later shifted his support to Dr Mahathir.
The appointment will be seen as an attempt to lure him over to the rival faction ahead of a looming showdown for the control of Bersatu.
A civil war is brewing in Bersatu, with chairman Dr Mahathir and his son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, seeking to regain control of the party that they helped establish.
Dr Mahathir has also proposed a motion of no-confidence in Muhyiddin as the prime minister for the May 18 parliamentary meeting, which the Speaker has accepted.