Azmin: Execs with skills to head GLCs

Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The changes in the leadership and boards of government-linked companies (GLCs) will come to an end soon, says Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali (pic).

He also said the days of “political appointments” are over because the Government wants executives who can perform and deliver in GLCs.

“To be clear, we want executives in all the GLCs to be appointed among those who can perform efficiently, and not because of political reward.

“That is history. The Government and the Prime Minister have countless times said that we want executives who are able to serve because of their expertise and skills,” he said at the launch of World Bank’s 18th Edition of the Malaysia Economic Monitor yesterday.

Azmin said he had a series of discussions with the council (Council of Eminent Persons) and the Prime Minister on replacements for the GLCs.

“We expect that in the short term, the Government will identify personalities who have the highest integrity, knowledge and credibility to lead the organisations.

“Because we want all the GLCs to meet the highest standards of governance and also best practices. This is our challenge, but we will do it,” he added.

Since May 9, several prominent figures heading GLCs and the boards of these companies have resigned or retired.

Among the first few to leave are Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad who stepped down from his position as the chairman of Felda, Datuk Seri Mohammed Shazalli Ramly who resigned as the group CEO of Telekom Malaysia Bhd, as well as Malaysia Airlines’ board member Habibul Rahman.

Petronas independent non-executive director Datuk Mohd Omar Mustapha tendered his resignation on June 1.

Yesterday, it was announced that Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan has completed his tenure as chairman of Petronas on June 30, following the fulfilment of his extended three-year contract beginning July 1, 2015.

The latest big name to leave the scene is Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar who retired as chairman of Permodalan Nasional Bhd last Friday.