Congratulations to Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin on his appontment to the chairmanship of Malaysia Airlines (also MAG).
I don't intend to repeat the wild theories as to why he retired (rather prematurely) from Petronas, the government's golden goose where Tan Sri spent his entire career.
But I do have several questions regarding these theories.
1. If it was related to politics, why not appoint some politician to the chairmanship? The government has made it clear they will appoint MPs to top GLC posts to ensure they are in sync to the government's policies (and not to reward those who support PM Mahiaddin's in Dewan Rakyat)
2. If Tan Sri Wan Zul is such a solid principled character who could not submit himself to the ruling government's power play, why would he accept the appointment instead of resign and decline any offer by the government to make his point? If really his retirement is of political nature?
Conversely,
If PM really thinks that the appointments in MAG and Petronas are to prepare these GLCs to weather the difficult times we're currently in, it looks like MAG has got the better side of the bargain since Tan Sri Wan Zul is a proven and tested business leader especially due to his experience in taking Petronas safely through the low oil prices crisis a couple years back. Will it not risk Petronas' readiness to change the guards mid-crisis? Especially as Petronas is of paramount importance to the government's finances, is it worth any level of risk, more worryingly, as Tan Sri Wan Zul's replacement is relatively young and inexperienced in a leadership role?
But anyhow, I do wish Tan Sri Wan Zul my very sincere best. He's definitely not one to shy away from making the toughest decisions - his tenure saw the first ever employees' downsizing at Petronas since its founding. I'll support Malaysia Airlines forever, for I am Malaysian, and that means I will still do even if I no longer serve this great company.
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