PATRIOT welcomes grooming good governance at GLCs and GLICs

Dear Editor,

Patriot takes special and important note of the recent statement by the nation’s auditor-general, Dato’ Wan Suraya

Wan Mohd Radzi assuring that almost 2000 government linked entities would be subjected to regular audit by her

department.

Patriot seriously regards this intention as most encouraging, laudable and refreshing.

We believe that such audit exercises will promote greater accountability and transparency within these entities and

hopefully contribute to a better focus on their allotted roles and good overall governance.

Not only does it resonate well with the current government’s determination to arrest the systemic corruption in the

country but it also serves as a better control and monitoring measures over these entities’ activities and business

engagements.

To enable the National Audit Department to carry out its functions efficiently and effectively the department must be

provided with additional manpower and material resources.

These government linked entities are involved in a wide and complex spectrum of activities and have heavy

responsibilities. Beyond a successful leadership career within a bureaucracy they require a sophisticated set of skills

to manage and run the entities under their discharge efficiently.

It is observed that the Ministry of Finance and Khazanah Negara are mainly responsible for the supervision and

monitoring of these entities.

It is no secret that for some of these entities to function well, some degree of independence, a keen sense of enterprise

and risk taking may be essential.

Patriot notes with concern that the run-of-the-mill senior bureaucrat or a retired senior government official,

including distinguished or discarded politicians seem to be logical choices for the boards of directors that run these

companies.

1MDB , Perwaja Steel and PKFZ are perhaps egregious examples but other big concerns like Malaysia Airlines,

Sapura, Prasarana, Tabung Haji companies and FGV have also been in the news for the wrong reasons.

These companies have not performed as remarkably as expected.

As talent and integrity records are vital, it is about time that the relevant authority considers including some directors

with proven enterprise mettle and a sound knowledge of business environment and trends.

Further, boards ought to reflect specialized expertise, leadership ability, diversity and some gender and regional

balance.

Government-linked companies must not lose sight of their fundamental fiduciary duties, Environmental, Social and

Governance (ESG) goals and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) functions; and must also not lose sight of

encouraging Malaysian SMEs which are also pivotal to the business environment.

Patriot observes that GLCs which hold monopolies may be at risk of stuffing out creative entrepreneurial talent in

certain areas and if there exist such shortcomings these must be arrested affirmatively.

The time has come for our country to move beyond the phase of scandals, mismanagement and missed targets as have

been pointed out in past audits of these GLCs painted with far too much window dressing.

GLCs must not succumb to too much politeness, protocol and pressure from political leaders.They must have the

space to operate beyond the wallpaper in these GLC boards.

Leadership of these entities are not championship trophies or ceremonial or consolation prizes to be offered as

rewards for retiring civil servants from a largely ‘kiss-up, kick-down’ civil service system. Government must place

great store on ensuring that these entities are run by well qualified technocrats, capable managers and qualified staff.

The fact is the country has had in the past exceptional and well respected leaders heading GLCs.

We must remember the sterling service, sound character and highest integrity displayed by Raja Tun Mohar Raja

Badiozaman, Tun Ismail Mohd Ali, Tun Abdullah Mohd Salleh, Raja Tun Muhammad Alias, Tun Azizan Zainul

Abidin and Dato’ Rastam Hadi, who in spite of their civil service immersion did not fail to deliver on their

challenging corporate agenda.

Patriot lauds the auditor-general, Dato’ Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi’s timely assurance and will monitor the

government’s indulgence in this direction.

President

Lt. Col. Dato’ Zarazilah Mohd Ali (Rtd)

Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan Malaysia

(Contact: +60123222388)