WHEN a high-ranking official is asked to leave their organisation silently, the usual reason given is that they “left on their own accord to pursue a different career”.
But more than often, that is not the case.
In this regard, the Ministry of Finance, government-linked companies (GLCs) and sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd have been urged to develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) before hiring or firing a top-level management personnel.
“There must be transparency in the hiring and firing of any top-ranking employee in an organisation – especially in a GLC – as it is a portrayal of the image of our country.
“This is crucial as it affects the respect and confidence of the public as well as the sentiment of local and foreign investors, UNI-Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC) president president Datuk Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal told FocusM.
With no direct reference to any particular organisation, Shafie hinted that although union members and employees may not have a say in the matter, the decision to force someone to step down should be justified and made public.
He said if the person has brought the company to greater heights and listens to the esteemed board of directors wisely, then that person should be valued and given due respect.
However, if there has been corruption or other deviant practices, then the person has to be answerable and punished.
Yesterday, the Joint Union of TNB Workers (KPPPTNB) expressed concern over the fate of the national utility giant’s president and CEO Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
Amir Hamzah has the strong backing of his staff with some 13,000 union members calling for him to remain amid rumours of his removal from the position.
KPPPTNB president Othman Alias said he found it “uncanny” that Amir Hamzah’s fate is being postulated publicly, giving rise to uncertainty within the group and its employees.
“Our working committee has decided that Amir Hamzah has been very cooperative and is always willing to discuss and share his thoughts about the company’s performance.
“He has also shown his concern for employees during this difficult time, and has been willing to approve special allowances to TNB frontline employees during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Othman was cited by The Malaysian Reserve as saying.
It is understood that TNB’s largest shareholders – Khazanah Nasional (33.9%), pension fund Employees Provident Fund (23%) and asset manager Permodalan Nasional Bhd (22.1%) – have thus far remained silent over this development.
Tenaga is among the largest stocks on Bursa Malaysia with a market value of RM61.61 bil. – Dec 16, 2020.
