Selangor menteri besar's political secretary Faekah Husin has slammed Khir Toyo's comments to the press on PKNS bonuses, reminding him that a MB must seek the exco's approval before receiving bonuses from state-linked companies.
Faekah was responding to Khir's press statement recently published in Sinar Harian, where the former MB claimed that the bonuses were “common practice” and that it was up to Khalid whether he wanted to accept it or not.
Khir added that if Khalid was not agreeable to the practice, that “he should fire the PKNS general manager (Othman Omar), saying that Khalid was only trying to make himself look good by playing up the issue.
“His statement with regards to the bonus and incentive rejected by the current menteri besar Khalid Ibrahim showed the former menteri besar has little clue on the difference between corporate and government organisations,” said Faekah.
She said this was proof of Khir's “incapability and lack of knowledge.”
“What is there to expect of good governance being practised during his tenure?” said Faekah in a statement today.
The newly-appointed political secretary said it was alright for Khalid to receive bonuses and perks during his tenure in PNB and Guthrie, but not as a public officer.
“As the menteri besar, his positions in all state-linked companies are non-executive and therefore there is no entitlement to similar financial perks,” she said.
'Dewan should debate'
She pointed out that Khir was mistaken to believe that a government officer holding a non-executive position was equivalent to working for the company.
“I would like to inform him that holding a non-executive (means he) merely represents shareholders to monitor the well-being of the company,” she said.
“The menteri besar is not expected to hold executive positions in companies owned directly or indirectly by the state.
“Therefore perks can only be given to the menteri besar and all non-executives only if it is approved by the state executive councillor,” said Faekah.
She added that in such a case the MB and other exco members with non-executive positions cannot participate in the decision-making process of the company, to avoid a conflict of interest.
Faekah says Khalid is considering referring the matter to the Dewan Negeri to allow all state representatives to debate on the eligibility of non-executives to receive such perks and bonuses.
'Khir had taken advantage'
She blasted Khir for taking advantage of his position as then menteri besar to accept bonuses and perks as chairman in various state-linked companies.
The political secretary said she had discovered the practice when her office "suddenly received an incentive payment" of RM145,000 from the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), as well as an offer to purchase high-valued land in Damansara at a significant discount.
After some investigation, she says it appears that this practice had endured from the previous administrations.
“As the Menteri Besar then, Khir should not have taken advantage of his positions and accepted the perks such as bonus and incentives. While he had no political will to decline the perks offered to him as chairman in various state-linked companies, the current menteri besar under Pakatan Rakyat government has refused to continue the practice,” she said.
She says in the spirit of transparency and accountability, the Pakatan government believes that the rakyat must be informed of the incentives received by their representatives in such situations.
“Umno can continue to justify the shady decisions and policies that they have practised in the past 53 years, but I would like to remind them that the rakyat are now better informed and will not hesitate to punish leaders who abuse their powers for personal benefits,” said Faekah.
“In Islam not only your 'niat' (must be) correct but the route you take must also be right - the end must justify the means.”
Faekah was responding to Khir's press statement recently published in Sinar Harian, where the former MB claimed that the bonuses were “common practice” and that it was up to Khalid whether he wanted to accept it or not.
Khir added that if Khalid was not agreeable to the practice, that “he should fire the PKNS general manager (Othman Omar), saying that Khalid was only trying to make himself look good by playing up the issue.
“His statement with regards to the bonus and incentive rejected by the current menteri besar Khalid Ibrahim showed the former menteri besar has little clue on the difference between corporate and government organisations,” said Faekah.
She said this was proof of Khir's “incapability and lack of knowledge.”
“What is there to expect of good governance being practised during his tenure?” said Faekah in a statement today.
The newly-appointed political secretary said it was alright for Khalid to receive bonuses and perks during his tenure in PNB and Guthrie, but not as a public officer.
“As the menteri besar, his positions in all state-linked companies are non-executive and therefore there is no entitlement to similar financial perks,” she said.
'Dewan should debate'
She pointed out that Khir was mistaken to believe that a government officer holding a non-executive position was equivalent to working for the company.
“I would like to inform him that holding a non-executive (means he) merely represents shareholders to monitor the well-being of the company,” she said.
“The menteri besar is not expected to hold executive positions in companies owned directly or indirectly by the state.
“Therefore perks can only be given to the menteri besar and all non-executives only if it is approved by the state executive councillor,” said Faekah.
She added that in such a case the MB and other exco members with non-executive positions cannot participate in the decision-making process of the company, to avoid a conflict of interest.
Faekah says Khalid is considering referring the matter to the Dewan Negeri to allow all state representatives to debate on the eligibility of non-executives to receive such perks and bonuses.
'Khir had taken advantage'
She blasted Khir for taking advantage of his position as then menteri besar to accept bonuses and perks as chairman in various state-linked companies.
The political secretary said she had discovered the practice when her office "suddenly received an incentive payment" of RM145,000 from the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), as well as an offer to purchase high-valued land in Damansara at a significant discount.
After some investigation, she says it appears that this practice had endured from the previous administrations.
“As the Menteri Besar then, Khir should not have taken advantage of his positions and accepted the perks such as bonus and incentives. While he had no political will to decline the perks offered to him as chairman in various state-linked companies, the current menteri besar under Pakatan Rakyat government has refused to continue the practice,” she said.
She says in the spirit of transparency and accountability, the Pakatan government believes that the rakyat must be informed of the incentives received by their representatives in such situations.
“Umno can continue to justify the shady decisions and policies that they have practised in the past 53 years, but I would like to remind them that the rakyat are now better informed and will not hesitate to punish leaders who abuse their powers for personal benefits,” said Faekah.
“In Islam not only your 'niat' (must be) correct but the route you take must also be right - the end must justify the means.”
courtesy of Malaysiakini
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