The general observations made by several writers on MAS fiasco have brought many issues into focus. I do feel, however, that no single author, correct me if I am wrong, has touched on the very core of the matter at hand. I am referring to the need for the relevant authority, in this case, the Finance Ministry, to commission an independent auditor to probe into Malaysia Airlines management practices.

Such an independent auditor will help uncover and discover the following irregularities, if they do exist at all, and if not, well and good. Under intense scrutiny, invariably, we hope that weaknesses in the following areas will be brought to light for public knowledge:

Does MAS practice prudent financial management?

Does MAS practise transparency and corporate governance at all levels?

The prevailing rumour of imperial approach of doing things at the top must be proven and

The need to do away with the current ineffectual board of directors

For new CEO Idris Jala to begin with "a clean slate", an independent auditor's report is a sine qua non . Even if Idris has a photographic memory to spot possible misuse and abuse of fiduciary responsibility in the past, such a report will definitely help guide him to the right path and avoid the pitfalls of the old regime that must altogether be disbanded.

In other words, even more important than the selling of MAS headquarters, if at all it would come to that, the present ineffectual board of directors must be dissolved to pave the way for a new board of directors to be appointed. Idris must be given a free hand to adhere strictly to his rehabilitation agenda.

He would act like an Alex Ferguson, or a Jose Morinho, managing their respective football clubs and players with no interference whatsoever from any quarter. MAS must be placed under "martial law", so to speak, while it is undergoing a period of turning around and Idris must be in control at the helm of a special MAS recovery committee.

Lest we forget, it is important to remind ourselves that MAS is a public-listed company. The Malaysian government, its major shareholder, represents the people of Malaysia. You and I, as tax-paying rakyat, are the stakeholders in this bungling company. Therefore, we have a say in the affairs of our national carrier, especially when it is in deep financial trouble.

In more advanced corporate systems, financial failures such as that being currently experienced by MAS would have sparked a public outcry. The public would have demanded a public inquiry. As stakeholders and peace-loving Malaysians, we would have been content with an independent auditor commissioned to probe into MAS financial woes.

At this juncture, it is appropriate to quote Edmund Burke who allegedly said: "The only thing necessary for evil to flourish in our society is for good men to do nothing." Well then, the least we can do as good men is to kick a fuss over this possible financial collapse. We should demand that the audit findings be made public in line with the best practices of corporate governance and transparency.

Most of us must have read about, and followed closely, the saga of the Singapore National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Surprise, surprise! Look what the independent auditor KPMG has found, expressed in its 332-page audit report. We ordinary mortals would have missed spotting such salient facts that have ruined public trust in the NKF. It was the KPMG report that formed the basis of NKF recovery plans under the new board.

Idris could take a leaf from the NKF telling experience, and use this as a useful lesson to remind him of what lies ahead.