Perbadanan Nasional Berhad's (PNB) Abdul Jalil Rasheed, who today resigned from his position as group chief executive officer (CEO) and president said he had chosen the "difficult path" over enjoying the benefits of his position while having to battle his own good conscience.
He said this during a town hall session with PNB staff to explain his resignation. A copy of his speech was later also emailed to PNB staff.
"When I took this role on, I told myself I will never waver in my principles in performing my duties.
"Oftentimes, making the right decisions is riddled with difficulties and some will be unpopular. The easy route would be to continue enjoying the perks of the office whilst battling with your own good conscience.
"I have always believed that no individual is larger than an institution. I have no intention to drag PNB into this. PNB must be safeguarded at all costs. Hence I have chosen the difficult path, one that is lonely and devastating for my family and me," he said without elaborating.
Abdul Jalil said he had faced harassment during his tenure as group CEO and president.
"The last straw for me was the harassment I had to endure from hate calls from unknown numbers, the hacking of my other corporate email account and my LinkedIn profile.
"This made me increasingly worry about the wellbeing of my family. In the end, I decided that it would be unfair to my family should matters escalate.
"We made a big financial and family sacrifice to relocate back to KL from Singapore because I truly wanted to contribute to nation-building.
"I’m disappointed this has to come to an abrupt end," he said.
However, Abdul Jalil, in his farewell message, said he did not regret his decision to join PNB.
"The past nine months have been rewarding for me. I’ve learnt so much and had the privilege to know you all better.
"You all have been welcoming, showing me great hospitality and displaying genuine dedication and desire to make PNB a better place," he said.
PNB, in a statement two hours after the town hall meeting, confirmed Abdul Jalil's departure.
It said the PNB board of directors has accepted Abdul Jalil's resignation and conveyed its appreciation for his leadership and contributions during his tenure.
"The board has also approved the appointment of the successor, and the announcement will be made upon receipt of the requisite regulatory approvals," he said.
'Swimming with the sharks'
Meanwhile, Bersatu supreme council member A Kadir Jasin claimed there were efforts by the new Perikatan Nasional government to turn PNB into a "gravy train".
He claimed there were certain bumiputera entrepreneurs lobbying the government to get rid of Abdul Jalil so that they can make use of PNB for personal profit.
"But I still have some confidence that there are still a small group of Malay professionals who are not willing to be agents of thieves and crooks because it is in their conscious to act in the interest of the country and people," he said in a blog posting.
Meanwhile, business portal Focus Malaysia reported Stephen Hagger, the Malaysian head of investment firm Credit Suisse Securities, sent a note to investors about Abdul Jalil's departure with the title "Politics: Eaten by the sharks".
Hagger said Abdul Halil "knows right from wrong, is not afraid and understands markets" but is "swimming with the sharks".
FocusMalaysia, quoted from Hagger's notes to investors, said Jalil had "done that very rare thing in Malaysia and that is to resign in order to protect his own principles and maintain his integrity".
"Before he started, he made it very clear that he would resign rather than cross a red line," Hagger added.
Hagger said it was not clear what the red line was, but it was likely related to his refusal to give "side income jobs" to politicians and turn a blind eye to malfeasance.
Yesterday saw another high-profile departure of a corporate leader appointed under the previous Pakatan Harapan government, namely Petronas president and CEO Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariddin.
The Edge reported that Zulkiflee's resignation may be linked to his objection to the PN government's plan to change oil laws in order to woo support from East Malaysia to bolster its thin majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
Zulkiflee, in his parting message, urged his colleagues to always keep to their principles. - Mkini
Most good and able thinking Malaysians are no longer in Malaysia. With intellectuals outside of Malaysia which FDI would want to invest in Malaysia?
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