DR Rais Hussin has stepped down from his position as chairman of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
In a statement on Oct 6, Rais said that he had informed finance minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz of his desire to step down from the post in August.
He had similarly reiterated his intention to Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa in early September 2021.
Rais’s resignation comes days after he came under fire from shipping associations for disparaging remarks about transport minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong on the cabotage policy issue.
Rais, who was appointed in June 2020, said that he had managed to reinvent MDEC during his 15-month tenure as chairman.
This included management restructuring, the improvement of governance and integrity with new discretionary authorisation limits and setting the strategic direction through Malaysia 5.0 (reinventing the country’s digital economy), among others.
He further elaborated that credible open tenders for procurement was intensified while a transparent grant administration was implemented based on ‘know-how’ rather than ‘know-who’ principles that are anchored on four core objectives – speed, rightful recipients, good governance and integrity.
“I can say now I have some invaluable experience in reinventing a government-linked company (GLC) and the challenges it entails,” he remarked.
According to Rais, GLC reforms must take place credibly and without political or any forms of interference as such entities were funded by the public.
He went on to say that he had never compromised on his principles in performing his duties and at times was forced to make some “very difficult decisions…unpopular as they may be.”
“It would have been much easier to just ‘follow’ instructions from the shareholder ministry and/or the supervisory ministry, but that would be tantamount to a huge battle of conscience.
“I have always believed in doing the right thing anchored on the right principles. Anything less would have crossed my red-lines that I have drawn for myself.” – Oct 6, 2021
