WE are definitely living in an era all too familiar and more. The new normal isn't exactly new but it is bolder and more brazen. Take the long debated role of Government Linked Investment Companies (GLICs) and Government Linked Companies (GLCs) in the national economic discourse.
The onus is on those in power to put in place people of high integrity and ones who meet the acid test of 'Fit and Proper' to lead those organisations deemed to be strategic to the national interest. Do we really need politicians to run these organisations? Don't they have other constituents to answer to?
This article is not meant to raise the ire of the present government of the day what more the sitting Prime Minister. It is to ask of them to consider several pertinent points in regards to the national interest as opposed to the political interest.
Take the case of the recent debacle at Mara Corporation. Any right thinking citizen, impartial in thought and rational, will argue that the GLICs and the GLCs should be free from political interference and political personages excluded from the board and management. That is ideal but let's be realistic. Say we are 'accommodative' with politicians being Chairmen or Chairwomen of these GLICs and GLCs.
The word implies a tradeoff. The tradeoff we the rakyat want is to let the professionals run these GLICs and GLCs. Let them continue with their work as what they have been trained to do and experienced to impart. With one vital condition, run the organisation professionally with integrity, a clear vision and mission with a firm mandate as fiduciary responsibilities as officers of the companies.
Take the case of Datuk Badlisyah Abdul Ghani, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Mara Corporation, endorsed by the Minister in charge of Mara himself and now three months into his appointment forced to turn into a gardener! (That's a term for executives put on garden leave mind you, a term I just coined).
This person is a product of the much admired Mara, the agency brainchild of Tun Abdul Razak. Yes, Badlisyah is a Mara son, a product that Mara should be proud of, the kind of Malay Tun Razak wanted to produce, reduced to wasting his talent, wondering where his future lies, a talent that should be utilised to lead Mara Corporation to be a giant among the established regional giants.
However, all is not lost. There is still hope. The Prime Minister has the opportunity to mend the situation. And he should. The Minister was right in endorsing Badlisyah, the Prime Minister needs only to strengthen that endorsement. How? By reinstating Badlisyah to his rightful position and secondly to remove all political interference not only from Mara Corporation but from Mara itself.
Mara is the only organisation that the Malay and Bumiputera community have left. Instead of leaving it to the political winds, leave it alone; EMPOWER it. Let the best people lead it. That will be the Prime Minister's legacy and what a legacy he will leave.
Let there be no doubt, GLIC and GLC leadership is expected to be loyal to the government of the day like their civil service brethren. The difference being the mandarins are there to implement governmental policies and the commercial executives are there to execute quantifiable outcomes that will contribute to the nation's growth.
The convergence of the two will result in the net contribution of governmental deliverables, which in effect are the promises made to the rakyat. Tinker with either or rather one overlap the other will definitely result in the trust deficit the rakyat will have for politicians. If that is already the case, expect a further erosion.
Malaysia now needs leaders. History will judge those in power either favourably or with disdain. Disdain translates to votes. As these GLIC and GLC executives are not expected to play politics, the same is required of our politicians; not to play dual roles as business executives too.
My point is there must be a clear demarcation between the politicians, t
he civil servants and those making business decisions. They each have a role to play albeit a different one but with a common stated goal and objectives and that is to make Malaysia an economic powerhouse that delivers prosperity for its people irrespective of race, culture and religion.
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, please give Badlisyah the chance to lead and make the Malays proud of Mara once again.
The writer is chairman, Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER)
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times