The recent appointments to head government-linked companies (GLCs) has raised quite a lot of interesting discussions.

One consistent point of argument is that Malays are being considered for these posts to balance the so called imbalance in the composition of CEOs in the private and public sectors.

Some arguments put forward the point that because of the 'biased' appointment policy in the private sector that favours other races, the public sector is obliged to employ Malay professionals.

This tit-for-tat action is tragic and very short-sighted to do any good for the country. Unfortunately it is the unlisted guiding principle and thus pride of an individual race becomes the ultimate consideration - the 'us against them'game plan.

In private companies, if the members want to squander away their accumulated wealth, so be it. But GLCs are not owned by just particular segment of society alone. They're the property of all Malaysians, held in trust by the existing administration.

The well being of these companies affect the populace of the entire country. The upmost consideration in appointing their chief executive officers (CEOs) should not be race but ability. The best man for the job, period.

Pride does not play a part. If these GLCs perform well, all Malaysians will benefit directly and indirectly. If they flounder (as in the Bumiputra Malaysia Finance (BMF), Perwaja etc.) then all Malaysians bear the consequences. We all lose time, money and most of all, opportunity.

If we compare our progresses with Taiwan and Korea over the last 20 years or for that matter with Thailand, which has been catching up, should we be putting pride above everything else?