`


THERE IS NO GOD EXCEPT ALLAH
read:
MALAYSIA Tanah Tumpah Darahku

LOVE MALAYSIA!!!


 


Saturday, July 27, 2013

PAUL LOW FIGHTS BACK: I don't have a political future, I'm just out to do a job

PAUL LOW FIGHTS BACK: I don't have a political future, I'm just out to do a job
Paul Low, a respected business leader who took on the role of president at Transparency International Malaysia, seemed to have it all.
Form wealth, to a great career that culminated in his holding the presidency of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, to the respect earned as a prominent citizen who dared to challenge the establishment and speak his mind without fear or favor when it came to issues that affected society.
But all these came crumbling down when he opted to give up the modest offices of the Transparency International for the bright lights and opportunities that a Cabinet position brings.
Now a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, the 66-year-old Paul is defensive not celebratory.
And the Najib administration, instead of basking in glory for the coup it thought it had achieved by pinching Paul, is now even more reviled by Malaysia's civil society than before for having lured away one of its best, and allegedly with 'forbidden fruit'.
No political agenda?
Paul is perceived to have sold out on principles and the fight for a just and corruption-free Malaysia.
It is hard to fault his critics because since 'switching sides', he has clearly pulled his punches on several key issues. And on the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission, an issue he had spoken strongly in favour of, he seems to have done a sudden and full U-turn.
Malaysia Chronicle got to meet him recently at a flashy Cabinet function, and Paul while enjoying the glamor, was well aware of the criticism against him.
He insists he is not in it for the power, or for the money. To him, it is the best way to effect change because "the BN will stay in power for the next 5 years".
"I can stand against all this criticism or slandering, if you like, it has no effect because I don't have a political agenda and really I don't need to protect my political future because i don't have one," Paul told Malaysia Chronicle.
"I am just out to do a job and my reputation will be formed from the success that I achieve and as far as I am concerned I will do my best. I know that if people help me and my colleagues in the Cabinet I know that they are very forthcoming to help me, I believe I can put in some changes in the coming term."

Momentum will quicken?
While it is too early to make an assessment of the effectiveness, it looks like Paul has begun his "job".
On Friday, he announced the government would form Integrity Units in each public agency to give added focus on integrity matters. For this year, he said the focus would be on agencies that were worth were more than RM1 billion.
According to Paul, the units were aimed at ensuring public servants were highly patriotic, had good work ethics and high moral values. It was also to check criminal misconduct, indiscipline and upholding organizational ethics by civil servants, he said in a statement released to the press.

Additional criteria would be imposed on ministries, which he said had to undergo more "stringent" criteria.
When asked how long he intended to remain a Minister, and would he continue if his 2-year Senator's term was extended, he declined to give a direct answer.
"Well, dealing with governance and integrity is a journey. A transformational journey is very hard to put a time frame on. I believe at least 1 year to 2 years, I should be able to see some changes. And as we progress along, I believe the momentum will move faster. Usually it takes time to change mindset, bring in what I call partnerships that I want to make ... let the civil servants themselves take ownership over these (initiatives)."
Malaysia Chronicle

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.