ALOR STAR – The Kedah government is set to transform all government-linked companies (GLCs) in the state following a reprimand from Sultan of Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah during the opening ceremony of the 14th Kedah state assembly this morning.
Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said GLCs cannot be administered by those with the mentality of a civil servant because they are set as business entities that contribute revenue to the government.
“GLCs cannot be inhabited by those with a civil servant mentality because their main goal is to generate income. If they are unable to generate income, we can consider closing them.
“Most GLCs in Kedah are like that (have a civil servant’s mentality). That is why we need to take appropriate measures to ensure that transformation takes place,” he said during a virtual press conference following the opening ceremony of the state assembly today.
Earlier, Sultan Sallehuddin in his speech called for all GLCs in the state to be transformed through more constructive and transparent structuring.
The state ruler also said GLCs would not be viable and sustainable if they only depended on projects courtesy of the state government, and recommended that the selection of GLC leadership be given special attention.
Meanwhile, the Jeneri assemblyman added that he had called on GLC heads to step out of their comfort zone in June last year after being appointed menteri besar the previous month.
Sanusi also said that the state government under his administration had never made any political changes or changed management within GLCs.
“As I have mentioned many times, GLCs cannot rely on state government projects simply because they are business entities.
“I have identified several GLCs for immediate and serious restructuring. I hope next year that GLCs can contribute to government revenue,” he said.
It is understood that the Kedah government currently has 27 GLCs. – The Vibes, September 20, 2021
