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When are we
going to come of age?
Friday October 31, 2008: WHAT’S the fuss all about? Why would a routine
temporary appointment stir up so much rhetoric among politicians and NGOs?
A storm of protest has erupted ever since Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri
Abdul Khalid Ibrahim announced that veteran corporate executive Low Siew
Moi would be appointed acting general manager of the Selangor State
Development Corporation (PKNS).
Low: Her appointment as PKNS acting general manager has drawn protests
from certain quarters.
Khalid had earlier said that Low’s appointment would be a temporary
arrangement until a suitable candidate was found to head the PKNS. But,
his choice of Low has not gone down well with certain quarters.
On Tuesday, the Selangor Malays Residents Action Body held a protest
against the appointment outside the state secretariat building in Shah
Alam.
According to Shah Alam Umno information chief Mohd Azhar Othman, the
appointment is against the main aim and policies behind the setting up of
the corporation and marks the first time it would be led by a non-bumiputra.
It is certainly and surely sad that after 51 years of independence, there
are still people, including so-called leaders, who cannot look beyond the
racial lines.
Azhar’s statement is only partially correct – the PKNS was set up in 1964
and has been headed by a Malay general manager ever since.
But, is the appointment of a non-Malay contrary to the aims and policies
of the corporation? Or ultra vires the Federal Constitution? Or in
violation of the special rights of the Malays? Or even an insult to the
Sultan, as suggested by one NGO leader?
I don’t think so and, I am sure, many right and fair-minded fellow
citizens of all races will agree with me.
The PKNS is a major property developer in Selangor, having built the state
capital Shah Alam and the many modern townships like Kelana Jaya and Kota
Damansara. To date, the corporation has built about 150,000 housing units
in the state.
According to the corporation’s website, its stated mission is in line with
the state policies to promote stability, harmony and social justice.
It seeks to achieve these lofty goals by the implementation of property
development, commercial and industrial development and investment.
Its objectives are to encourage and develop housing estates, industry,
commercial and new economic centres. agriculture and carry out other
approved activities.
Low is eminently qualified to take the reins at the PKNS, having served
the corporation for over 33 years, including holding the post of deputy
general manager (corporate development) for the past 11 years.
It is learnt that Low will only serve as the acting general manager until
a right candidate has been identified.
Selangor state executive councillor Ronnie Liu has confirmed that the
Pakatan Rakyat component parties, including PAS, had given their full
backing to the Mentri Besar on his decision to appoint Low.
The DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) have publicly endorsed the
appointment while PAS has not objected to it.
“PAS has only requested for preference to be given to candidates the party
feels are suitable to lead the organisation,” Liu told StarMetro.
Otherwise, Liu said, the state government had no plan to reconsider its
decision on Low’s appointment.
He said Low, who was due for retirement soon, had been appointed in an
acting capacity to hold the fort pending a permanent appointment later.
“So, we don’t understand why people are trying to make an issue of this,”
he said.
The real issue, however, is not Low’s appointment but the very sad and
disappointing racial overtone of the whole matter.
When are we ready to come of age and accept each other without the
consideration of colour, creed, culture and class?
Valley View
By BRIAN MARTIN
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