Jala to see how KPIs have fared

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KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Idris Jala’s first task will be to establish what the Government has done so far in its efforts to implement Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

The former chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) said he would work closely with his “boss” Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon in charting the specifics of the KPIs.

Jala was sworn in as Senator in front of Dewan Negara president Datuk Wong Foon Meng at Parliament House yesterday.

National service: Jala and his wife Datin Seri Pang Ngan Yue posing for a picture after the swearing-in ceremony at Dewan Negara yesterday.

Malacca MCA liaison committee deputy secretary Lee Cheam Choon was also appointed a senator in the same ceremony.

Jala told reporters later he was happy to be appointed a senator, adding that he would work hard to carry out his “national service”.

He clarified that he had been appointed CEO of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), which oversees the implementation of the KPI initiatives.

He said that he was not a minister because he would report directly to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who is in charge of National Unity and Performance Management.

“There are some confusing news reports and blogs, which questioned why there should be two ministers.

“There is no duplication of ministerial roles. I am reporting directly to Dr Koh who is the minister in charge of KPIs,” he added.

Jala also said that he would be appointed a minister without a portfolio in the Prime Minister’s Department, for which he would take his oath at the Istana Negara today.

He said the Prime Minister would assign him duties from time to time.

On the sudden move to take him out of MAS and into the Government, Jala said he had left the airlines in the capable hands of Tengku Azmil Zahruddin, the new managing director and chief executive.

“It was my job to groom him to replace me and I’m convinced that Azmil will do a better job in MAS,” he said.

Dr Koh, who witnessed the swearing-in of Jala, said his vast corporate experience could be put to good use to enhance the performance management culture in the Government.

“Our jobs can be characterised as something like a corporate body – I’m the chairman and Jala is the CEO and deputy chairman,” he added.