How has Selangor performed - MB Report Card.

[pywong]

In any administration, the head is the most important element. So, in Selangor, the MB is the most important person in the State Government. And in assessing the performance of the State Govt, we can assess the performance of the MB himself.

Tan Sri Khalid brings with him strong corporate background as the CEO of Guthrie Bhd. This is probably the first time that Selangor has a person of such a calibre. Therefore, the public has high expectations of him. However, as he has admitted on several occasions, he has no political experience.

Has this been a hindrance to his performance?

Let us look at a few incidents and discuss how it could have been handled differently.

1. Free water for first 20m3:
This is a populist move and went down well with the people.

Is this a wise move?

Not really. It does not encourage people to save water, a commodity which is becoming increasingly scarce, due to excessive demand and pollution of existing water catchments.

He would have done better if he had promoted rainwater harvesting by offering to pay for a water tank to collect rain water.

What are the advantages of this?

We have reduced the water flowing directly from the houses into the drains, thereby helping to reduce the impact of flooding. We are reducing the consumption of potable water, thus reducing the demand on existing water treatment plants. This is a one-off payment unlike the free 20m3 which could extend indefinitely. The water saved by this method is a cost saving to the people which is forever.

There may be some objections about mosquito breeding. This can be easily overcome by placing a mosquito netting over the holes in the tank.

Comment: His heart is in the right place. If he can change his offer to that of a tank, it can produce better results and avoid any dispute with Syabas over the free water.

2. Suggestion to offer 10% places to UITM:
He meant well here and it looked like a harmless suggestion. But he has not thought through the impact it can have on the Malays. UMNO played it up and went to town with it. Politically, it did a fair bit of damage to PKR, especially as it was during Anwar's by-election campaign in Permatang Pauh.

3. Monopoly on sand supply:
He decided that the Selangor Govt will monopolise the sand supply. I wrote advising him against it as governments have no business to be in business. Bureaucrats tend to mess things up and Selangor's performance in business has been abysmal. The law of unintended consequences came in. Previously, sand from the rivers was dredged by private operators and allowed to be sold. With the monopoly, apparently, this sand was not dredged and it caused the river bed to be raised up.

The recent floods were blamed on this. Of course, the PR MPs in the areas got whacked.

Results: Maybe RM 20 million on emergency sand dredging, which previously was free.

Matters of sand mining involves draining, geography and geology. The specialists in these fields should have been consulted before making decisions on sand mining. In any case, a proper study should have been carried out to identify sources of sand, the permissible rate of removal, the time period over which extraction can take place. These are matters beyond the competence of a corporate figure and he should have had the wisdom to consult experts in this field. Also, we should not ignore local experience of the sand operators themselves. They know things that we don't.

4. Selangor Land Task Force:
This was launched with great fanfare on 4 Jun 2008 with a promise to submit the report in 3 months, ie by 4 Sept 2008. We have met and dealt with the 2 co-chairmen. They are less than inspiring. So far, it is almost 5 months and we have not heard anything about this report yet. Is it sitting around gathering dust or has the Task Force asked for more time or even recommended another Task Force to carry out more studies? What is striking is that the majority of the task force committee were drawn from personnel from the land office. We have not heard of any land office in Peninsula Malaysia operating successfully. That means what is being tried here is to ask people who have never succeeded in running a land office system successfully to come up with recommendations on how to create a successful land office system.

We are not sure how governments run things but certainly, in the private sector we would never dream of such an approach.

Many people complain about the length of time taken to transfer a title. In Hong Kong, it takes 3 days, in Thailand 1 day, in Selangor 114 days! Land is under the charge of the MB. So the responsibility lies with him. Is he trying to take on too much on his shoulders? Should he not delegate the approval of land titles to the district land officer?

5. GLCs:
We would have expected that from day 1, the board of management of all the GLCs would have been reviewed and previous UMNO political appointees replaced. It is obvious, judging from the dismal performance of the GLCs, that these appointees are less than competent. Has this been done? Do we have competent and professional people manning the boards and changing the corrupt culture that existed previously? Are the staff professional and loyal to the government of the day?

The answer is obvious from the recent brouhaha over the appointment of the acting PKNS General Manager and the protests by the staff unions.

Hello, Mr. MB. You don't allow your staff to dictate to you who you can or cannot appoint to be the manager. These staff are guilty of gross insubordination. As a former CEO, you very well know what you have to do with them. For a start you don't pussy foot them.

7. Elected Local Government:
It appears to us that the State Government is dragging its feet over the issue, putting one excuse after another. See this: http://tindakmalaysia.com/tm_forums2008/index.php/topic,149.0.html

For the urban electorate, this can have severe repercussions for the Govt during the next elections.

Conclusion:
It is now coming to 7 months after Mar 8, 2008 when PR took over Selangor. The honeymoon period is over and we expect to see results. So far, what has been achieved is not enough, given the high expectations and hopes of the people. It is clear that the MB not only need management experience, he needs political experience. If he doesn't have it, he gets help from people who has it.

We suggest that PR bring in more people to help the MB and relief him of some of his heavy responsibilities. The areas that need urgent attention are:

1. GLCs: Do a complete review of the board of directors and senior management. Replace those that are not competent based on their past performance. Race alone is not enough as a qualification. Competency is equally important.

2. A joint Pakatan Rakyat committee to oversee what the Selangor Govt is doing and ensure that they conform to party policies and directives. The Selangor Govt has to fulfill the pledges made in the Malaysian Economic Agenda.

3. Dredge the river beds urgently. People are suffering from flooding and lives may be at risk.

4. Release the Land Task Force Report for public scrutiny.

5. Implement local govt elections immediately. If the Federal Law is an obstacle, use the method suggested here: http://tindakmalaysia.com/tm_forums2008/index.php/topic,252.0.html. And please, no more excuses.

6. The MB should engage the services of an experienced Press Liaison officer who has strong political background. Leave the press to the liaison officer. The MB has more important things to do. His innocent gaffes, though well-meaning, can be twisted by a hostile media to play up public sentiment against the PR govt. We cannot afford such a luxury any longer.

The MB has many good qualities and with a slight change in approach and more support from Pakatan Rakyat, can become the best MB in the history of Selangor.

Here's wishing him success.

[pywong]

Article posted on Malaysia-today:
http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/14487/84/

[pywong]

PKNS to get CEO by February, says Khalid
By EDWARD RAJENDRA Sunday November 2, 2008

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) will be headed
by a chief executive officer by February.

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, who disclosed this yesterday, said the
decision would pave the way for PKNS to be professionally run and help meet
its objectives.

"We are focusing now on creating a top-level management team comprising
professionals who know real estate, property development and also have a
nose for choosing locations.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/11/2/nation/2439889&sec=nation

[fslam]

Dear PY,

I have a different view on :

1. Free Water - first 20m3
Tan Sri Khalid should be congratulated for his move. Where in the past 50 years do you get a state govt giving something to their residents ?
The move by the PR govt should be viewed as caring govt. initiative. You should not equate free water to be wastages. Who in their right mind would let their hard earned money to waste down the drain ?
You should listen to the poor who are desperately trying to make ends meet and any assistance by the govt is appreciated.

2. Monopoly on sand supply
Financially, the bottom line to the state is that the state will efficiently and effectively reaped in many times more revenue rather than allowing certain individuals to pocket this. This revenue can then be used for development expenditure for the benefit of the state and the rakyat.
Environmentally, monoply of supply does not mean that the river beds are not dredged. The geology and hydrology of the river basins in general is that as long as the sand is dredged, flood mitigation measures are sufficient. However, floods do occur when there is unusual heavy rain and sabotage of the river basins by individuals for reasons best known to themselves. Identification of problem areas in the river system which can cause subsequent flooding should be constantly addressed and proper supervision and maintenance of the river basin system upstream and downstream will minimise the level of the river to rise beyond critical level and thus cause floods to towns and villages.

3. Selangor Land Task Force
You acknowledged that land offices in Malaysia has never been successful in running a land office system. The issues facing all land offices in Malaysia are many and varied. You need a proper identification of issues and documentation and this takes time. You would not want to have a surface skim on the land issues and come out with a non-encomposing solution , do you ?
If you had gone to a land office, you would know what I mean. Files got missing or misplaced and some land titles can be transferred without the owner's knowledge etc.
Certainly, the Land office system can be simplified using the state of art computer software and land titles transfer period shortened.

4. GLC's
The question of whether you have the board and staff of GLC's who are competent, transparent  and professionally qualified to run these corporations ? You had addressed this. Anyway, a total review of the salaries and benefits of the board and staff to attract the best. However, some of these GLC's are supposed to be training grounds for certain group of individuals and is beyond question and accountability in terms of performance. This is the problem.

I do not disagree that a political press secretary or liason officer is necessary but this is negated by a hostile press that is bend on projecting negative image, no matter how good or sincere you try to implement.

[pywong]

Dear Lam, I am pleased to see a measured and reasoned response to my posting.

1. Free Water - first 20m3. You should listen to the poor who are desperately trying to make ends meet and any assistance by the govt is appreciated.
When a water tank is provided to collect rain water, it can also collect 20m3 per month and it is free. So the poor are helped all the same. But equally important, we cut down on the direct discharge into the drainage system. If carried out on a large enough scale, it can reduce flooding. This will also reduce the pressure on Syabas to build more dams to meet our requirements.

2. Monopoly on sand supply
Financially, the bottom line to the state is that the state will efficiently and effectively reaped in many times more revenue rather than allowing certain individuals to pocket this. This revenue can then be used for development expenditure for the benefit of the state and the rakyat.

Unfortunately, this has not been thought through before deciding on the sand monopoly. I have no issues with cutting off the cronies and parasites. Govt should only be involved to the extent of solving the problem and no more. Going into the sand supply business is a mistake. If anyone imagines that the moment a PR govt comes in, the civil service will suddenly become much more efficient is in for disappointment.

Environmentally, monopoly of supply does not mean that the river beds are not dredged. The geology and hydrology of the river basins in general is that as long as the sand is dredged, flood mitigation measures are sufficient. However, floods do occur when there is unusual heavy rain and sabotage (how do you do that?)of the river basins by individuals for reasons best known to themselves.

Identification of problem areas in the river system which can cause subsequent flooding should be constantly addressed and proper supervision and maintenance of the river basin system upstream and downstream will minimise the level of the river to rise beyond critical level and thus cause floods to towns and villages.
Looks like this was not done. So knives are being drawn to look for scape-goats. My point: If we need to make a drastic change in a system, we must make sure that we consider all the issues properly and not make a decision by the seat of our plans. Two things I learned as an engineer - never mess around with a river or the sea. And one thing as a human being - trust govt only as far as you can throw them, which is not very far. Doesn't matter whether it is UMNO or anyone else for that matter.

3. Selangor Land Task Force
You acknowledged that land offices in Malaysia has never been successful in running a land office system. The issues facing all land offices in Malaysia are many and varied. You need a proper identification of issues and documentation and this takes time. You would not want to have a surface skim on the land issues and come out with a non-encomposing solution , do you ?
If you had gone to a land office, you would know what I mean. Files got missing or misplaced and some land titles can be transferred without the owner's knowledge etc.
Certainly, the Land office system can be simplified using the state of art computer software and land titles transfer period shortened.
I have a simpler approach. I would look around to see who has got a successful system running and learn from him, and not from a group who has no successful track record. We don't need to look far - New South Wales.

4. GLC's
The question of whether you have the board and staff of GLC's who are competent, transparent  and professionally qualified to run these corporations ? You had addressed this. Anyway, a total review of the salaries and benefits of the board and staff to attract the best. However, some of these GLC's are supposed to be training grounds for certain group of individuals and is beyond question and accountability in terms of performance. This is the problem.
I know of someone who would be happy to run through the GLCs with a chainsaw and he will even do it free of charge. 

I do not disagree that a political press secretary or liason officer is necessary but this is negated by a hostile press that is bend on projecting negative image, no matter how good or sincere you try to implement.
Have you heard of Spiro Agnew? Do a google. If you deal with a hostile press, have only a written question and answer session. Don't buat pandai-pandai.

[pywong]

The recent floods were blamed on this. Of course, the PR MPs in the areas got whacked.

Results: Maybe RM 20 million on emergency sand dredging, which previously was free.

Meanwhile, Datuk Dr Hassan Mohamed Ali, Islamic Affairs, Malay Culture, Infrastructure and Public Amenities State Exco also announced a RM21 million allocation for flood relief and prevention in light of recent flash floods in eight out of the 12 local authorities in the state.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/11863-selangor-will-consult-experts-on-economy

[pywong]

This was posted in the comments section of Malaysia-Today -
http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/14487/84/, Nov 04, 10:29am.

It is gratifying to see the high level of support that the Selangor State Govt and the MB is enjoying. This is good.

However, we should take several considerations in mind.

1. Selangor is supposed to be the show-case state for the rest of the non-PR states to show how PR can do better than UMNO.

2. Selangor enjoys the following advantages compared to the other states in Malaysia:
a. Richest - highest per capita income
b. Draws the highest foreign investor interest
c. Highest level of educated workforce
d. Contributes the most to the national GDP.
e. Alone among the states, it enjoys a budget surplus.

Given these advantages and the political requirements, the expectations of Selangor, within the party, is higher - much, much higher. (On this basis, one may even rate PAS as having done a relatively better job in Kelantan) Over the next few months, we should expect to see changes being made to tighten the Administration.

Political naivete is not a good enough excuse for gaffes, especially with an extremely hostile press and Federal Govt watching you like a hawk. Neither is sincerity. One can be sincerely wrong or even sincerely stupid.

The political fallout affects the party throughout the nation and they end up walking moving one step ahead and two steps backwards. So, either the MB learns to be more discrete or he will need to have a competent press liaison officer doing the talking for him.

1. GLCs: The present performance is not satisfactory, not by a long shot. The public rebellion by the PKNS staff associations is a very serious sign and cannot be tolerated.

2. Complement: A senior party member will need to be assigned to take overall charge of the GLCs, someone more ruthless and tough-minded. No more pussy-footing. The GLCs have been a drain on the treasury long enough. They must be bench-marked against Temasek.

3a. Free water: Expect rainwater harvesting to proceed. The water saved by the consumer will more than offset the free 20m3 given. This water is to be used for washing and gardening, not for drinking. Whether the tank is free or not has yet to be seen. Taking on Syabas is just posturing. We can't tackle them until PR takes over the Federal Govt. He should expend his energies on more productive activities.

3b. Flood control: Expect to see river dredging to commence on an urgent basis. How it is paid for will be interesting to see. We will need to monitor how the MB performs in the sand monopoly business.

We will not use his past record in Guthrie as the basis to judge him. He is going to have a tough time dealing with the lorry transporters. They are one of the most devious groups around. Remember the "tontos" who were riding herd for the lorries in the past? They are still around. There is a much simpler system to handle the problem but they don't want to listen.

I repeat my statement - Government have no business to be in business. Let me put it in another way: Can you trust a bureaucrat to run your business? If he is that good, he wouldn't be in government. He would be in business!

4. Land: In the past, the MB has always been in charge of land because it is a source of patronage and funds. Despite putting very little attention to it, he could get away with it because he had a compliant and supportive civil service.

It is not the case now. Therefore land matters need a lot of constant attention. MBs by habit want to be the one deciding on land matters. This has resulted in inordinate delays. The long lead-time in land administration matters and land title transfer cannot be tolerated any longer. We need an exco in charge full-time and he should not be the MB. The MB should act as the CEO, not the micro-manager.

5. Involvement of private section: Most of the State excos have no prior corporate experience, other than the MB. It is gratifying to see some of the State Exco setting up advisory committees with top business leaders involved. This is the right step and we can see results already.

6. Conclusion:
Selangor is not that big a state to run. Its annual budget is only RM 1.4 billion. 7 months is sufficient for the MB to show his capabilities. Despite the public's high satisfaction level with the performance, it is not enough. Too much is at stake. Selangor has to perform so well that, in spite the negative propaganda by the MSM, it will still stand out as a beacon to the rural heartland and trigger them to change - that is where the real battle ground is, not the towns.

Generally, we are pleased to note that most of the PR ADUNs are sincere and dedicated in their desire to develop Selangor. So, with a bit of fine-tuning here and there, we can make Selangor an even better state to live in.

[Isa Rahim]

2. Suggestion to offer 10% places to UITM:
He meant well here and it looked like a harmless suggestion. But he has not thought through the impact it can have on the Malays. UMNO played it up and went to town with it. Politically, it did a fair bit of damage to PKR, especially as it was during Anwar's by-election campaign in Permatang Pauh.

I have totally opposite view. I think it's important to do what is right. Not dance after UMNO's violin. It's a step in the right direction; and ultimately we have to abolish apartheid entirely in all our institutions.

Just because a few UMNO propelled Malays are screaming, it doesn't mean all Malays support this. It's rather the contrary. After all, most Malays are muslims, and in Islam, apartheid is strictly forbidden. UMNO has overruled Islam for too long, but it's just a question of time before this will change.

[pywong]

Isarahim, I don't disagree with you. The only issue is timing and who should say it.

Personally, I don't care whether UITM is 100% Malay or not. Simpler thing to do is to set up a separate multi-racial U driven by excellence. Let the marketplace decide.

[ntbn]

Anything is better than the adiministration of Toyol .

[Bob K]

Won't comment much about the rest but I like the rainwater harvesting idea. Of course, it'd be a major problem for those who stay in high rise apartments and flats (where a large proportion of the urban poor stay in) to have individual harvesting tanks but perhaps an engineering solution can be worked out.

[pywong]

Won't comment much about the rest but I like the rainwater harvesting idea. Of course, it'd be a major problem for those who stay in high rise apartments and flats (where a large proportion of the urban poor stay in) to have individual harvesting tanks but perhaps an engineering solution can be worked out.

Bob, The solution for high-rise is even simpler. Just a big tank at the very top of the building to be shared by all residents. That will be very cheap and the high pressure water can be used for a lot of cleaning purposes and for the toilets.

Alternatively, a storage tank can be built outside the building with rainwater collected from the roof. I see huge wastage at the SUK itself. We have politicians talking a lot but they don't take care of their own backyard. The civil servants are still stuck in the old mindset and the politicians don't bother to monitor them closely to make sure they don't waste unnecessarily. Simple case - windows kept open permanently at the SUK by smokers in the corridors. Imagine the loss of air-con air, wastage of electricity, etc.

[Bob K]

That will entail reforms in the property ownership and management laws as well.

A lot of issues are inter-related and it is without doubt that our whole legal and regulatory regime require thorough review and reform to bring it up to date with present day realities and challenges. Even a simple measure like introducing rain harvesting water tanks already require a few regulatory and ordinance amendments. It isn't merely a policy issue itself.

This is probably unrelated but the question of data privacy itself is an "on-again-off-again" issue by our policy and law makers. With the amount of private and personal data in both government as well as private hands, the potential (and REALITY) of identity theft is scary!