It is encouraging to note that the government is streamlining all government-linked companies (GLCs) to cut out duplication in chain of commands and making it attractive to recruit the best and brightest to be appointed to key positions.

The government should be lauded for finally taking the bull by its horns and sorting out the rag tag, motley crew types of governance now in place.

I must, however, urge a word of caution in whatever the government does as these companies carry the aspiration of the rakyat and it is very important that only the best helm these organisations not just anyone.

May I suggest that the government consider two key aspects in the search for the best capable people to helm GLCs - experience and meritocracy.

Top-notch education alone counts for nothing without the necessary commercial and industrial experience and expertise. The best candidate has to have a bit of both (actually a lot of both) before they can be allowed to helm GLCs.

For example, the chief executive officer (CEO) of one of the most successful supermarket chains in the world, Terry Leahy of Tesco hypermarkets, started off as a shelf stacker before moving upwards.

And of course, meritocracy and meritocracy alone should be practiced in choosing the correct person for a GLC top job. It should not be a matter of race or gender. The most qualified and experienced person should get the job. Make sure all that are chosen are really the masters of their fields and experts in their areas of expertise.

It must be also be remembered that the best and brightest are not necessarily attracted by stupendous pay cheques and perks alone. These people will not wish to have their hands tied in the day-to-day operations of a GLC, a point worth considering when one is reviewing the demarcation lines between a GLC's board of directors and senior management.

We just have to remember that not too long ago, the darlings of our corporate world were people like Halim Saad, Tajuddin Ramli and their like. We should ensure that our GLCs do not later become a source of embarrassment.