The prime minister today defended the appointment of the second key performance-index (KPI) minister, stressing that it shows the government is committed to improving National Key Results Area (NKRA) and KPI's.

najib 100 day bash 110709 najib 02 Speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Najib Abdul Razak said that the appointment of the former Malaysian Airlines (MAS) chief executive officer Idris Jala will help smoothen out the KPI initiatives for the government.

Backed with a strong track record and experiences, Najib said it shows that Idris is the "ideal man for the job".

"There's no one like him in the government who has a track record in implementing major transformations like what he did for MAS...when he speaks up about something, he has a sense of authority," said Najib.

Idris to be made senator

Idris is appointed as a minister (without a portfolio) to implement KPI initiatives for the government. He is, also, chief executive of the performance management and delivery unit (Pemandu).

As CEO of Pemandu, (the organisation which will oversee the implementation of the KPI initiatives) Idris will complement, support and report to Dr Koh Tsu Koon, minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of national unity and performance management.

koh tsu koon pc 300409 Meanwhile, Koh's (right) overall duties are to formulate executive policies and strategies on NKRA's performance management and organisational transformation.

Now that Idris has been appointed as minister, it is a requirement for any appointed ministers to be made senators.

Najib is looking at sometime next week for Idris to take the oath as senator.

On the same note, he also said that Koh welcomed Idris' appointment and said that both of them will work closely together.