QUICKLY, HIDE THE MONEY & THROW AWAY THE KEY – ISA SAMAD & NAJIB ARE COMING! SYED HAMID ‘SHOCKED’ AT ISA’S APPOINTMENT- ‘HE’S NOT THE RIGHT MAN TO HEAD SPAD’

Isa Samad, who has just resigned as chairman of FGV, has been almost immediately appointed the SPAD acting chairman. The appointment came as a big shock to the nation, including the outgoing SPAD chairman Syed Hamid.

The prime minster may have his own reasons for appointing Isa, but as Syed Hamid has said, it will plunge the government into yet another controversy. Even though Isa has unloaded his duties as FGV chairman, he still has to face MACC investigation.

Isa has earlier requested FGV president and CEO Zakaria Arshad and three other senior personnel to go on leave,and Zakaria responded by lodging a report with MACC, which is now investigating whether abuse of power and other irregularities have been involved. On Wednesday, Isa and his wife went to MACC office to give their statements.

Isa’s Umno membership was frozen for his alleged involvement in money politics in 2005. He was later appointed Felda chairman. but his performance was unsatisfactory. He later left Felda to become FGV chairman but again, FGV’s business performance was a big disappointment under him. He has put himself at the eye of the storm following his spat with Zakaria, and this makes him unsuited to hold any senior position in a government-linked company or institution.

Of course, the FGV controversies are still being probed. What is actually happening there and who should be liable to all this? We can’t draw any conclusion before the investigation report is released, but what the public are more concerned about is whether Isa possesses the necessary experience in managing public transportation affairs and is fit enough to take up such an important position, even though he will only be an acting chairman.

Isa used to be the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar and his administrative, management and leadership abilities are beyond questioning. Politically, he has the grassroots support and networks, but that does not mean he is well suited to head a company or government agency.

In the real life business environment, if a company’s chairman does not perform up to the mark, he will have to be kicked out by the board of directors. It is nevertheless inconceivable that a failed company leader has been “recycled” to head a government agency.

Lest we forget, SPAD is set to take responsibility for various massive public transportation projects involving enormous sums and functions such as the ECRL, KL-Singapore high speed rail and the Klang Valley MRT.

Although Isa is only an acting chairman, no limit has so far been set for his tenure, meaning he will lead SPAD in overseeing the above projects until further notice has been served.

Such a momentous task should never become a political appointment. Moreover, such major public transportation projects should be entrusted to experienced and suitably qualified individuals to ensure their smooth implementation.

– Mysinchew