Zahid: PNB’s success is Barisan Nasional’s success
BATU PAHAT: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has described Permodalan Nasional Bhd’s (PNB) excellent achievements as a success of Barisan Nasional (BN).
He said the fact that PNB was one of the most successful multinational corporations in the world had removed a lot of scepticism by certain quarters when it was set up 40 years ago.
He said the scepticism arose from the failure of a number of unit trust management companies that existed before PNB.
“Now, when the Malaysian Unit Trust Week is held, it is not just a ceremonial event, but also a showcase for people to see the success of PNB and its subsidiaries.
“From humble beginnings, PNB and its subsidiaries now employ more than 100,000 people.
“These achievements should be praised and compared to that of other multinational corporations in the world.
“PNB’s success is BN’s success, and the way it is professionally managed has removed doubts about it.
“Its success also shows that the culture of integrity started by PNB’s founders has been adhered to, so much so that I have not heard of anything negative about the company, let alone reports of corruption or mismanagement.”
He said this at the closing of the Malaysian Unit Trust Week at the Batu Pahat Stadium here yesterday. Present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, PNB chairman Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar and group president and chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad.
Zahid asked PNB and its subsidiaries to reach a compromise on developing areas left behind.
“I hope PNB will consider this and carry out its corporate social responsibility by developing these areas, not only by providing funds, but also by reducing the price of land compared with the market price in the areas.”
He said people should learn from challenges that tested their resilience, whether in politics or business.
“Personal interests should not surpass the interests of the majority as it could cloud one’s judgment, which would lead to hate. This should be avoided.”
He said he was not referring to or targeting anyone, but used PNB’s success as an example of how personal interests should not take precedence over the interests of many.
“PNB proves that decisions made without anger, hate or disappointment can lead to great success.”
He said he hoped critics would not only point fingers at the government over failures, but also acknowledge its successes.
“We are open-minded and welcome opinions and criticisms, but they should be made rationally.
“Malaysia is a democracy and anybody can criticise, but criticism based on anger, disappointment or hate can overshadow the truth. When hate, anger and disappointment overtake rationality, decisions made will not be right.”
At another function, Zahid said problems could be solved if party members united and cooperated with each other.
At a gathering with People’s Volunteer Corps members and Benut folk at SMK Parit Betak in Benut, Zahid said if there were problems in a party, it was time members made peace to ensure victory for BN candidates in the polls.
“We should set aside trivial matters because if a (BN) candidate loses, the party and country would lose, too.”
He said in the last election, BN candidates did not lose because the opposition was strong, but because BN was weak and divided.