Political appointments in Sabah GLCs key to effective policy implementation, says activist

KOTA KINABALU (Jan 7): The appointment of politicians as chairmen of government-linked companies (GLCs) is justified and remains relevant to ensure state government policies are implemented effectively, said pro-Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) political activist Aksyah Nasrah.

He argued that opposition criticisms, which claim political appointments undermine institutional reform, reflect a narrow political narrative and a misunderstanding of the governance structure of government-owned companies.

According to Aksyah, politicians appointed to GLCs are not just political figures but part of the state government’s policy-making framework, tasked with translating administrative direction into organisational implementation.

“In the GLC structure, the chairman acts as a stakeholder to the executive management running the company’s operations. They are entrusted with ensuring that decisions, policies, and the government’s direction are conveyed and implemented effectively,” he said in a statement.

Aksyah explained that the success of a GLC largely depends on the efficiency and professionalism of its executive management, who understand business operations and corporate objectives aligned with the governing administration.

He added that strong working relationships between stakeholders and executives are key to enabling GLCs to contribute meaningfully to the state’s economic and social development.

Elaborating further, he cited Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor’s New Year 2026 message, which emphasised that this year marks the start of the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 (SMJ 2.0) development roadmap.

“SMJ 2.0 is not merely a slogan, but a vision of the people of Sabah that must be understood, embraced, and adapted into the work culture of every GLC so that these organisations can contribute meaningfully to the state’s direction,” he said.

Aksyah stressed that the appointment of politicians as GLC leaders is crucial to ensuring policy continuity and aligning organisations with Sabah’s overall development direction.

“May strong working relationships between stakeholders and executive management at all levels generate significant value and benefits for the state and the people of Sabah.

“Indeed, the SMJ 2.0 roadmap belongs to and is the shared responsibility of all of us,” he said.