| Oct 29, 08 1:09pm Malaysiakini |
| Staff at the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) should respect the menteri besar’s prerogative in appointing a non-Malay to head the state agency, said DAP vice-chairperson Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim.
Tunku Abdul Aziz was commenting on protests by six staff bodies against the appointment of the corporation’s deputy corporate affairs and accounting manager Low Siew Moi as acting general manager. The decision by Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim to appoint Low was met with objection from the corporation’s own staff who submitted a protest memorandum to him. At the same time Selangor PAS wanted to suggest its own candidate besides helping the state government find a suitable candidate. Tunku Abdul Aziz expressed “great concerns” over the opposition shown by the staff bodies and opposition coalition partner PAS against Low’s appointment on the grounds that the post should be filled up by a bumiputera. Tunku Abdul Aziz said that the opposition based on someone’s ethnic background augured badly for ethnic relations and national unity. “The interference by the senior staff of PKNS runs counter to established management practices and may well be the result of the race-based policies and indoctrination that the nation had been subjected to for the better part of 50 years or so,” he said. ‘Blind prejudice’
On the contrary, he said that a culture had developed where merit was overlooked while “less than relevant considerations” such as ethnicity and religion were prioritised. “It is indeed sad that while we have progressed in economic and material terms, our nation is still bound to old ways of thinking and acting that have no place in a modern democratic society,” he said. The Selangor government, in particular Khalid, has come under fire from various groups and media over Low’s appointment. Filling the gap In a statement yesterday, Khalid defended Low's appointment, adding that she was the most suitable candidate to fill the post for the time being. Khalid said Low's appointment should not be an issue because it was only temporary as she was needed to stand in to replace the void left by the current PKNS general manager Harun Salim would be retiring at the end of the month.
Khalid had explained that if both Low and Harun retired at about the same time, it could affect to smooth running of PKNS. Thus the state had asked Low to defer her retirement by a year until a suitable bumiputera successor was found, he had said. Low was also quoted in the media as saying that a bumiputera candidate should be appointed to continue steering the government agency. Backing Khalid in his decision is MCA Wanita chief Chew Mei Fun.
She ticked off Selangor PAS leader Hassan Ali and state opposition leader Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for questioning Low's appointment. "In this globalised world, the appointment of top government posts should not be based on skin colour or gender. Those with capabilities and are able to perform should be given the opportunity to serve."PKNS not a 'religious organisation' Meanwhile, DAP member of parliament for Klang, Charles Santiago, criticised PAS state leaders for not living up to their election manifesto and advised them not behave like Umno politicians. "Furthermore, what would the party leaders tell the Kelab Penyokong PAS, who comprise of non-Muslim Indians and Chinese - that they are second-class citizens and not good enough to hold top posts and lead organisations?" He described the six PKNS staff bodies in equating the general manager’s role to an ‘imam’ as “nonsensical”. If that was the case, Muslim women would not be accepted for the top job for they cannot play the role of an imam, argued Santiago. “The staff must recognise that PKNS is not a religious body but tasked to manage the business and investment activities of the state.” |
“I hope the menteri besar’s decision is respected by all and the PKNS staff will focus on doing their work professionally instead of questioning the prerogative of the state government to appoint the most suitable person for the post,” he said in a statement today.
Tunku Abdul Aziz urged Malaysians to put aside “blind prejudices” and recognise that progress required the recognition for efforts and contributions of all citizens regardles of ethnicity or gender.
Low, who is due to retire this year, was given an extention to undertake the new post.
19 thoughts on “Tunku Aziz: PKNS staff shouldn’t interfere”
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Corrupted rejim racist umno President/PM said “we gonna encourage & recruit more non-malays (chinese & indian) to join gomen/public sector”
looking at PKNS promotion of a non-malay has become a ‘NATIONAL RACIAL’ issue & rejim racist umno was so proud of their action for being RACIST !
macam ni…. how non malays gonna join gomen section?
hey ! OTK president of M’sian CHICKEN Asso. (MCA),
wat ur comment on this isu? r u gonna ‘Chicken out’ again?
where is ur ‘transformasi MCA serta merta’?
rakyat tak nampak sikit pun?
Cannot understand why these thing is so pain in the neck. If they think this is the best they can have in their lives, they have seen nothing yet. Just magine how much more progressive and potential this country can become, if they let other races partner with them. All, everyone will benefit, isn’t it? Cannot! Only the Malay must be better!! See the problem? Let Malays managed for 51 Yrs, today,nothing to show. Still talking about racial issue.
Like this cannot, like that cannot, How?
Those people in UMNO, PAS and Selangor PKNS staff who opposed the appointment of Low Siew Moi as acting general manager are racial and gender bias. To them they should look further away from their fixed mind-set. As MB Khalid Ibrahim pointed out that “it was better for someone who can genuinely help the Malays to hold the position than for a Malay who cannot deliver the benefits to the community”. What brave and backed-up reasoning for the betterment of Selangor PKNS!
Another stalwart who also should be highly praised and commended is DAP vice-chairperson who raised the
mentality of ‘blind justice’ and bad ethnic relations concerning the issue. After all, the most suitable, most qualified, most experienced and most capable was picked for the job to bring Selangor PKNS to greater heights!
Where lies the emergence of a ‘Bangsa Malaysia’?
We must read between the lines in order to get a clearer picture. The reasons outlined by those opposed to Low’s appointment is actually a red herring. They are afraid that the ‘gravy train’ will end the moment she becomes acting GM. I believe she will perform up to expectations and avoid cronyisms/corruptions/shenanigans. In short – being a professional.
I salute the MB’s decision to appoint her as acting GM based on her abilities & dedication towards her job – something which is sorely lacking in PKNS.
For those who oppose Low’s appointment hiding behind the concept of “imam”, I have this advice: Do not turn PKNS into a religious organisation. It is not and never will be. Just look at its mission, vision & objectives.
Hi guys, I have these to say :
1. in human history, we always found traitors and betrayors;
2. there are partners in sorrow and partners in happiness, but partners in sorrow not so many;
3. as for bangsa Malaysia: it will be a bangsa that have no legends, myth, fables, or ethos since it is being born out of so called necessity, or justified;
4. Wah! professionals do not get involve in corrupt activities? I dont buy that… because professionals are also human. Worst still, professionals from malaysia. They womanise, booze, give hampers, etc.etc., which is part of their professional ethiquettes. They only matters… money.
Cheriooo.
Oh Human… oh Human…
How far must one Human learn from it provocative destruction in mankind.
We don’t believe; in the simple of manners of appointment also cause the dilution of commotion. To all religious people who live by the spirit of Allah and HIS mercy stir up no cause, the adversary is working within. Our spiritual adversary is bombarding our principality in Allah.
Jealousy.
Feeling lose out.
Racist dominion.
Cultural supremacy.
Egoism backfire
Personal glory and gain afflicted.
Revenge
Chauvinism
And etc.
Is this development is from Allah? No I believe it is from the Satan itself.
“Thus the state had asked Low to defer her retirement by a year until a suitable bumiputera successor was found, he had said.” as quoted.
We truly disagreed with the statement “bumiputera successor”. As a mere Malaysian for the “Bangsa Malaysia” we should focus on the manifesto of the Malaysian gain rather than a racist sentimental ignition. “Suitable candidate” will be applicable in this manner of speech and intend.
How far can be able to drive the prosperity of Malaysia to a higher peak and success if we continue with our race war development, whereby we can focus on Malaysia competitiveness on a global and trade balances profit. Easing the suffering of poverty in Malaysia and moving on to life with a blended and multi-cultural interaction with greater harmony package. Dwelling and reside in love and reverently understand each other needs and cultural requirements.
Why we “human” that is the basis of our origin ethnic from before the wisdom of man corrupt us and divide us in the iniquity of man deforming us to “Malay”, “Chinese” , “Indian”, and “Others”.
In summary, “we are no less than animals in the eyes of God, but it is us as in HIS image that makes us special” – Ventura
So let us be special in HIS sight by practicing humanity in HIS mercy.
Amin!
The PKNS staff are paid a salary. If they refuse to discharge their duties professionally, should they receive their salary as usual?
Civil Servants should be apolitical. They administer and get paid by tax money collected from all voters and from all races.
The reason for their objection can’t hold water. As enigman points out, there could be other issues beneath the protests.
Anyway Madam Low will have a hell of a time getting things done for I feel that the full commitment of all PKNS staff might not be coming (if indeed there was ever full commitment)
Btw this protest on racial grounds contrast starkly with numerous claims that Malays are polite, tolerant and friendly. I hope this claim still stands but I cannot for the world reconcile this claim with the protest. The last I check, most of the economic top posts like Finance Minister, Bank Negara Governor, Bursa Head, Permodalan Nasional Berhad Honcho etc are still held by bumiputra. What’s the worry? The real worry is the lost of talent pool that translate into non-development and progress of the nation.
I cannot believe what i read comments in your blog such as “Let Malays managed for 51 Yrs, today,nothing to show. Still talking about racial issue”hey !, OTK president of M’sian CHICKEN Asso. (MCA),Why there is so much hatred in us, why we are calling others racist.What happening to us? Did you heard what are saying? Let’s be honest, let make a poll. Do you chinese can work side by side with
1.Indian
2.Malay
3.Chinese
If your answer is …… so you know we are in deep s…t. I propose DAP to abolish Chinese or Indian School so that our children do not have our hatred. Why our father can drink coffee with their Chinese or Indian friend because they go to school together
hang on, Chinese and Indian schools do not spread hatred of Malays. When I was in Chinese school, we were taught to be loyal to the King and Country. We also taught that our country is wonderful with multi-race and culture and everyone living happily side by side.
Stop using vernacular schools as an excuse. If anything, these institutions make Malaysians capable of speaking to the billions in China, Taiwan and India. Great opportunity for commerce, business and industry.
Who is dividing the country up with racism? Look elsewhere. Ahmad Ismail, Utusan Malaysia, recently have not been saying nice things….
My friend Lee Wee Tak,
Why we want to separate our kids by attending vernacular schools when they can living happily side by side in one school. If just want to learn speaking Chinese or Indian, we can propose to our Government to put Mandarin or Tamil as part of the subject.
The point here why we need vernacular school when we talk about equality. Why want to teach our children this is Sekolah Cina and this is Sekolah Tamil and because of this in actual fact we are not living happily side by side. If we want to build a Malaysian, we have to start from the begining, bak kata orang melayu nak melentur buluh biar dari rebungnya.
Everbody can give excuse, MCA want 30% Malay shares to reduce why? Just to make sure Chinese can get more business so that they can get more vote not because they want to help Indian or Malay to have equality in wealth or opportunity. Chinese always want to a be towkay and sometime your decision or demand can make others suffer.
Orang M’sia,
i don see we as m’sian (malay, indian & chinese) cant work together! Yes ! we can work together definitely !
but abolishment of chinese & indian school will create unity among m’sian? i don see that. look at Indonesia, do d few percent chinese cukup ‘united’ with Indon? ur guest is better than mine….!
disunity & hatred among races was bieng done ‘professionally & systematicaly’ by corrupted rejim racist umno to ‘Devide & Rule’ d nation.
rejim will stay in power to rob, rape & sodomise d economy, wang & khazanah negara legally under their JUNGLE LAW of OSA, PPP Act, Sedition Act & lastly ISA & were supported by rejim ‘korek korek machineries’ lap-dog polis, AG, ACA & judiciary !
rejim will silent off critics, opposition & suara rakyat by using d abv JUNGLE LAW !
rejim lap-dogs will be rewarded naik pangkat paling cepat, dapat Datuk/TanSri/Tun ship, gomen contracs & tanah.
IF PR in power soon then Orang M’sia will benefit, united & live in peace & harmony !
Hi guys, please identify the premises used in the comments. For eg. O.Malaysia asking for the abolishment of vernacular schools, and wee tat responded with the running of the schools. So, one is talking on policies and the other on the operation. Arguments must be on the same plane or premis. If not, it will lead to another arguments and on another plane. So the intellectual aspects will be eroded. For eg. Taalik expressed his vote for PR, by riding the issued of races working together as raised by the O>Mlaysia.
Now, which issue are we arguing? schools, policy, or politics?
Ok, let make our “arguments” more interesting. My arguments or statement is “Our goverment was forced by racist political parties to maintain vernacular schools” Why i said that? Because all the malaysian still have racist sentiment in ourself. Why nobody dare enough to say in order to kick start Malaysian Generation we have to start from our children. We cannot separate our children by letting them be surrounded by their own race. Nowadays, we are almost separated due to economic status. This is the fact nobody can deny it. Example. New Township house price range from RM 450K above how many % Chinese, Indian and Malay. Private sector how many % Chinese, Indian and Malay holding key position such as Finance, Purchasing and etc in the company or how many % Chinese, Indian and Malay working in Goverment sector and now we, the parent want to separate our children thru education. Why? Don’t tell me when you go to Sek Men Keb. you are becoming more “Malay”sian. Why we don’t want start from the rebung instead going to the buluh (keras already)and why not even one political parties either from PR or BN dare enough to say in order to create Malaysian Generation we have to abolish all elements of “divide and rule” including NEP or Vernacular School. Because everbody still have personal agenda, they never put their love to the country as their number one priority. That the fact.
Now i believe the issued i arguing are policy, schools and politics 🙂
.
Khairi Ali,
PR must achieve political victory to unite m’sian of all races !
by arguing schools &/ policy, we cant argue till kingdom come but to no end…..!!!!
talk will remain talk only & nothing concrete will happen/change.
Polictical changed will dictate national policy.
Put aside Racist & we all as m’sian (Malay, chinese, indian, iban, kadazan dll) compete with d world & achieve what S’por done !
There’s nothing in S’por! not even a drop of water (water supply fr johor) BUT they’ve a clean & corrupt free gomen to take of their rakyat.
1970 RM1.10 : Sin$1.00 BUT now RM2.35 : Sin1.00
Current m’sian per capital income US$5,000 : S’porean per capital income US$25,000
Y ah? Corrupted rejim racist umno got d answer….!
go ask rejim umno…. y ah?
Quoting Charles Santiago
“The staff must recognise that PKNS is not a religious body but tasked to manage the business and investment activities of the state.”
No wonder PKNS is a loosing concern.
Orang Malaysia, Khairi,
both of you make very good sense but I always believe there are more than 1 way to achieve an aim.
There are 2 issues
national unity and different stream of schools and I do not see how these 2 are on the opposite side of development. I strongly believe national unity can be achieved although we have vernacular school (VS)
VA enhance our competitiveness as a nation. There are lessons, values, ideas, thoughts you can learn only in these schools that I wish I can share with you all….our Chinese VS students can talk the kind of talk with business people from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Local artist like Michael Wong, Victor Wong, Ah Niu, Angelica Lee, Fish Leong, owing to their command of mandarin, has sold millions of albums and won many awards in the chinese language entertainment scene, something that our newspaper do not advertise at all, bar chinese language ones. These should be the joy of the nation. How many of non-chinese ever heard about Michael Wong?
This song won numerous awards in China and Taiwan……
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3Na7ZNoAcE
In my school boy days I have been taught to love my country and my fellow Malaysians. Khairi, from personal correspondence with me, can hopefully conclude that I am in no way anti-Malay or anti-Indians. In my life, I have helped them in whatever way I could (e.g. I hired an Indian assistant and surprised my boss. I have never regret my decision for she is good at her job). Chinese VS are known to push their students very hard whereas, no apologies, students in national type school, although are worked hard as well, tend to be under less stress. For parents and students who yearn for hard and competitive training, Chinese VS do give them the challenge.
Please don’t blame VS. If you want mingling, simple. Have more inter-schools activities. Sports, uniform bodies and all must be revamped and broaden to allow people from different schools to mix together. All schools should teach the culture and religin of all races…and stress on mutual respect and acceptance (not tolerance which imply some form of discontent!!!)
Vision school is a good idea. VS and national type schools sitting in a single compound but there are those minor sticky issues like canteen food etc
Orang Malaysia,
If you claim separation by race at school is the root of the problem, then what about UITM? When Tan Seri Khalid raise the possibility of more competition there to raise the quality, the response is anything but positive.
National unity can be achieved if there is the right curriculum in all schools but from what I heard about the sejarah content, bito tata negara lessons are running against common sense.
To have national unity, Malaysians have to forget about racial lines. Painful and significant changes have to be made. It involves a lot of things but removing VS is not the answer. The problems lies elsewhere. We have Utusan Malaysia, Ahmad Ismail, the PKNS union raising voices that can disturb non-Malays. BN practices and policies run on racial lines. Similarly, Chinese employers do not employ as many Indians or Malays as Chinese. Our university intake also raise the problem of discontent, brain and currency drain out of the country.
VS is not the hindrance to national unity. It is the outdated national policies, its long term impact and implementation that got us to where we are today.
“Everbody can give excuse, MCA want 30% Malay shares to reduce why? ”
let’s play the numbers game, would Malays prefer 30% of a 1 billion economy or 15% of a 15% of a 30 billion economy. If we liberalize our bureaucracy and business polices, the cake will grow bigger. There will be more jobs etc.
30% requirement represent a significant cost of business to foreigners. If they want to invest 100million, they might have to end up owning 70% only and the loss in dividend payments could deter them as well. If we remove this, more foreign investment would come in and more jobs will be created.
30% ownership is a myth. It does not talk about distribution among Malays. Which would you choose?
1) 30% of shares held by a few malays who can afford the capital input, the connections to acquire such equity and earn a living by sitting around taking dividends, from a shrinking pie because foreigners can choose to go to other countries who would not have such rules.
or
2) plenty of jobs created by local and foreign investors. Malays and other Malaysians can earn a salary either as a production worker, supervisor, administration staff, manager and whatever. Other local businesses will benefit with these big factories set up by investors in Malaysia by being their stationery supplier, contractor for odd jobs, providing support services like consultancy, waste disposals and management, bus kilang drivers etc. The government can increase the tax collection hence more money can be channel into welfare, education, healthcare and whatever (no helicopter and submarine, please)
Hi guys. After seiving the comments or arguments, I have this nice words to say : we all love Malaysia. Go ahead arguing, but please end our arguments with something which we can say as a common understanding. By this way, we can proudly say that we have achieve a common ground that our MPs could consider and follow up with whatever actions construed as neccessary.
By the way I have a few words of advice. Wee Tak: please go to the education ministry and get a briefing from them. This is because your educational history of Malaysia is quite juxtaposed. And so was with your facts on economic performance. Go to Finance Minstry. Then your political understanding will be further refined, because the way you see things is quite Malaysian.
O.Mlaysia : try to be more focus and try treating every aspects in its own specific dimension. Then your analitical ability will be further enhanced.
Tailik : You seem to be over reacting or supportive to one particular party. But I didnt say you dont have the right to do so. What I’m trying to say is: be more open-minded. Then you can enjoy the beauty of nation building.
Anyway, I’m a proud person today, since all of you responded to my comment prudently.
Thanks Khairi for airing your views honestly and with such mature open-mindedness.
I study with great interest your comments.
“please go to the education ministry and get a briefing from them. This is because your educational history of Malaysia is quite juxtaposed. ”
– would be grateful if you could let me know where you think I got it wrong with regards to my “personal opinion on the educational history because I spoke of my personal experience in Chinese schools and not about the historical development of VS.
The ministry is ran by the current administration so you could safely assume from my postings that I do tend to disagree with a lot of their policy so I might not agree with what they say. Plus, I doubt any official would bother to brief me, nobody but a concerned tax payer who contribute to their perks and salary.
“And so was with your facts on economic performance. Go to Finance Minstry. Then your political understanding will be further refined, because the way you see things is quite Malaysian.”
— again, why would anybody in F Ministry would bother. I do see things as Malaysians because I am Malaysian. 🙂
By the way, talking to finance ministry people about economic performance may lead me to better understand of their policies and economic agenda. Politics is another area altogether albeit in Malaysia, we operate on a political economics platform.