Politics at Johor’s Iskandar getting worst
Politics are now getting from bad to worst at Iskandar Malaysia, the showpiece economic corridor project situated in Johor state.
So far, two chief executive officers (CEO) of the Iskandar Development Authority (IRDA) did not last two years on the job. Besides, the relationship between some of the key players in the IRDA mainly the Johor Civil Service (JCS), the federal government’s Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Iskandar Investment Board (IIB) and the last one, of course it is Umno.
Right now, Johor menteri besar Datuk Abdul Ghani is lobbying at Putrajaya for the state government to take full control of the said “mega economic project” said to be the Malaysia’s Shenzen. Datuk Ghani had continuosly pushed the federal government to put IRDA directly under the jurisdiction of the state government and not report to Khazanah Nasional Bhd as currently the position is.
The IRDA board of directors is currently chaired by both the prime minister and the menteri besar himself. Ever since the resignation of the second CEO Harun Johari as demanded by Datuk Ghani, the menteri besar is already demonstrating his strong arm tactics by quickly exerting his powers over the IRDA’s day to day businesses.
Officials from Khazanah had wanted Harun to take the helm for another six more months but Datuk Ghani had insisted that he leave immediately. Source from inside IRDA also indicated that senior managers handpicked by Harun previously are also expected to be terminated from their respective positions to give way to new appointees which are to be determined by the menteri besar.
It is believed that Datuk Ghani is expected to appoint officials from the state government and state Umno leaders to occupy key positions in IRDA in order to strengthen his grip in the said development authority.
Officials from the state government and local leaders of Umno have also stared lobbying for major positions in IRDA and contracts to develop the region. Looks like Datuk Ghani, who is also the Johor Umno state liaison committee chairman had a lot of thinking to do on who and how to fill up all these key positions in IRDA and also to ensure the interest of his party supporters are well-maintained.
So, is Iskandar Malaysia really going to be developed into a world class, one stop regional economic centre for investors or will it be turned into just another corrupt government agency occupied by only politicians and not professionals?
So far, two chief executive officers (CEO) of the Iskandar Development Authority (IRDA) did not last two years on the job. Besides, the relationship between some of the key players in the IRDA mainly the Johor Civil Service (JCS), the federal government’s Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Iskandar Investment Board (IIB) and the last one, of course it is Umno.
Right now, Johor menteri besar Datuk Abdul Ghani is lobbying at Putrajaya for the state government to take full control of the said “mega economic project” said to be the Malaysia’s Shenzen. Datuk Ghani had continuosly pushed the federal government to put IRDA directly under the jurisdiction of the state government and not report to Khazanah Nasional Bhd as currently the position is.
The IRDA board of directors is currently chaired by both the prime minister and the menteri besar himself. Ever since the resignation of the second CEO Harun Johari as demanded by Datuk Ghani, the menteri besar is already demonstrating his strong arm tactics by quickly exerting his powers over the IRDA’s day to day businesses.
Officials from Khazanah had wanted Harun to take the helm for another six more months but Datuk Ghani had insisted that he leave immediately. Source from inside IRDA also indicated that senior managers handpicked by Harun previously are also expected to be terminated from their respective positions to give way to new appointees which are to be determined by the menteri besar.
It is believed that Datuk Ghani is expected to appoint officials from the state government and state Umno leaders to occupy key positions in IRDA in order to strengthen his grip in the said development authority.
Officials from the state government and local leaders of Umno have also stared lobbying for major positions in IRDA and contracts to develop the region. Looks like Datuk Ghani, who is also the Johor Umno state liaison committee chairman had a lot of thinking to do on who and how to fill up all these key positions in IRDA and also to ensure the interest of his party supporters are well-maintained.
So, is Iskandar Malaysia really going to be developed into a world class, one stop regional economic centre for investors or will it be turned into just another corrupt government agency occupied by only politicians and not professionals?
