Tunku Aziz: PKNS staff shouldn't interfere

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.

"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 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'

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.

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.

Low, who is due to retire this year, was given an extention to undertake the new post.

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.

"Even though I share a different political ideology with Khalid, I believe in the Selangor menteri besar's trust and confidence in women's capabilities to helm PKNS," she said.

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.”