KUALA LUMPUR: No more hefty bonuses for loss-making or poorly-managed government-linked companies (GLCs), said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said he had put his foot down last year to stop such practices, particularly involving GLCs that have reported losses or were poorly managed.
“The companies (GLCs) that do not record a profit, or are poorly managed, should not assume they will continue to receive their bonuses.
“For a long while, I have sometimes seen that they assume it is normal to get between six to eight months bonus.
“This is why we said no more to this last year,” he said this when replying to a question raised by Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.
Anwar said that those chosen to lead GLCs should be aware they have a responsibility towards achieving the goals for their respective companies.
He acknowledged most GLCs were performing accordingly, citing the example of Ramly Burger and Aerodyne Group which have since becoming global players due to assistance from GLCs and statutory bodies.
As such, Anwar said the government had recently decided that all 2,000 gazetted GLCs will be audited by the Auditor-General Department next year.
“This will be a wake-up call to the GLCs to be more responsible.
“This is because there are still some that commit violations at several stages.
“We have no choice but to audit and monitor them,” he added.
In July, Dewan Rakyat passed the Audit (Amendment) Bill 2024, aimed at giving greater authority to the Auditor-General to enhance governance and accountability in the public sector.
The amendment provides the Auditor General’s (AG) authority be significantly broadened for a more comprehensive oversight of public spending.
On a separate matter, Anwar said former political leaders could be appointed to GLCs if based on merit.
“Their appointments are done following vetting by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), police, Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission and Bank Negara.
“This is to ensure they have a clean record which can be defended,” Anwar said when replying to a supplementary question raised by Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang).
What was crucial, Anwar stressed, was that those appointed were qualified and professional with regard to their responsibilities.
“We do not discriminate between those who were formerly in politics.
“A big part and prime condition for their appointment is that they are professionals,” he said.
However, Anwar said former political leaders will not be appointed as the board of directors of government companies dealing with finances.
“We are firm on this and support this principle which Bank Negara stresses on,” he added.
He said that the audit by the Auditor-General on GLCs next year also would ensure the proper conduct of such appointees.
“It will be a reminder there should not be any problems or fraud occurring in these agencies,” he added.
