ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

There was news recently that Employees Provident Fund (EPF) paid a favourable rate of dividend. One of the reason given by the Chairman of EPF for this good news was that the management did a very good job. So the key factor here is accountability and good governance.

Accountability and good governance are not only imperative in the corporate sector but are also relevant for the public sector.

The people now are generally more educated and their expectations are also on the rise. As tax payers they expect better quality of services from the government apparatus at the various levels. Whether federal ministries, state departments and at the level of the local authorities.

Just like in the private sectors when mistakes were committed whether by the top, middle or lower management will mean some heads will have to roll to pay for the mistakes. The example of Emron in America a few years ago was a good example.

Thus accountability is what influenced the efficient running and good management of any organization be it the private or public sectors. If there is no accountability nobody is responsible for any wrong doings in the company or organizarion. Any body can do anything and gets away with murder so to say.

This accountability must also be applicable to politicians. When they go for elections they promised to give their best effort to their constituents. They have avoid any immoral actions, corruption practices and maintain clean records of themselves to avoid any compromise of their good name. If they are caught in immoral acts as exemplified by the case of Dr Chua Sou Lek, they have to resign all their posts to safeguard and save the good name of their political party.

This Chua Sou Lek incident is a precedent for the future. Any political leaders who are caught in immoral activities will face the chopping block. This warning had been given by none other that Pak Lah, the Prime Minister and President of the ruling Barisan Nasional party.

If we have to move forward towards achieving a development country status we have no choice but to make accountability and good governance the corner stone principles for our public and private sectors.