Many have lauded Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Wira Azhar Abdul Hamid for his decision to resign from his post following the accident on Monday at an MRT construction site which claimed the lives of three Bangladeshi workers.
Generally, his decision has been described as a commitment to a sense of integrity and responsibility - a quality rarely seen in the country, whether in the public or private sector.
With the exception of a few cases, including when an MCA leader resigned from his post due to a sex scandal, quitting a post in order to take responsibility for a personal mistake or an organisation's failure is not the culture in Malaysia.
Instead, such an action is not alien in several other countries such as India, Japan or South Korea, the latest being the resignation of South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-Won who took responsibility for the sinking of a ferry that claimed the lives of over 300 passengers.
Hence, the 'shocking' announcement by Azhar yesterday is seen not only as an apt example to emulate but also one that has to become a culture that should be implemented in the country.
Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) president Datuk Dr Mohd Tap Salleh said Azhar's decision reflected his integrity as a courageous leader who assumed responsibility for the failure of the organisation under his purview.
"We should salute him for his action, which should be emulated not only by the top management of other companies but also by public service and government leaders.
"However, in most cases in Malaysia, there are many instances of those being brought to court who still refuse to resign," he told Bernama when asked to comment on Azhar's resignation.
Dr Mohd Tap also brushed aside the views of certain quarters who saw Azhar's resignation as an easy way out, leaving behind his 'unfinished' responsibility.
On the contrary, he said, it was the correct move as it would facilitate easier investigation into the case without interference from any vested parties.
However, he stressed that Azhar's responsibility over the incident, which made him to resign, should not be interpreted as 'the action of a guilty person' as a comprehensive investigation should be conducted to identify who was actually responsible.
"His (Azhar's) action to resign is okay; he cannot be blamed for the case but a thorough probe should be conducted to see if the management has put in place all the safety procedures.
"If the procedures are complete but some quarters, such as workers, contractors or sub-contractors, have not complied with the procedures, then it is not the management's fault," he said.
Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye is of the view that Azhar's action was an "honourable act" that should be made a culture in the country.
He also described Azhar as a person who really kept to his word because he had admitted to taking the issue of occupational safety seriously and was fully responsible for the incident.
Lee, who is chairman of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh), is confident that Azhar's action could instill a culture of accountability and do away with the mentality of always pointing fingers whenever an issue arises in the country.
Azhar, 53, tendered his resignation yesterday following the incident in which three male Bangladeshi construction workers were crushed to death by a 650-tonne guideway span that collapsed at the MRT project site in Kota Damansara yesterday.
Starting tomorrow, the post of MRT Corp CEO will be held by its Land Management and Investment Liaison director, Haris Fadzilah Hassan, in an acting capacity.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the contractor involved did not adhere thoroughly to the standard operating procedure on safety, thus resulting in the loss of lives.
Generally, his decision has been described as a commitment to a sense of integrity and responsibility - a quality rarely seen in the country, whether in the public or private sector.
With the exception of a few cases, including when an MCA leader resigned from his post due to a sex scandal, quitting a post in order to take responsibility for a personal mistake or an organisation's failure is not the culture in Malaysia.
Instead, such an action is not alien in several other countries such as India, Japan or South Korea, the latest being the resignation of South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-Won who took responsibility for the sinking of a ferry that claimed the lives of over 300 passengers.
Hence, the 'shocking' announcement by Azhar yesterday is seen not only as an apt example to emulate but also one that has to become a culture that should be implemented in the country.
Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) president Datuk Dr Mohd Tap Salleh said Azhar's decision reflected his integrity as a courageous leader who assumed responsibility for the failure of the organisation under his purview.
"We should salute him for his action, which should be emulated not only by the top management of other companies but also by public service and government leaders.
"However, in most cases in Malaysia, there are many instances of those being brought to court who still refuse to resign," he told Bernama when asked to comment on Azhar's resignation.
Dr Mohd Tap also brushed aside the views of certain quarters who saw Azhar's resignation as an easy way out, leaving behind his 'unfinished' responsibility.
On the contrary, he said, it was the correct move as it would facilitate easier investigation into the case without interference from any vested parties.
However, he stressed that Azhar's responsibility over the incident, which made him to resign, should not be interpreted as 'the action of a guilty person' as a comprehensive investigation should be conducted to identify who was actually responsible.
"His (Azhar's) action to resign is okay; he cannot be blamed for the case but a thorough probe should be conducted to see if the management has put in place all the safety procedures.
"If the procedures are complete but some quarters, such as workers, contractors or sub-contractors, have not complied with the procedures, then it is not the management's fault," he said.
Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye is of the view that Azhar's action was an "honourable act" that should be made a culture in the country.
He also described Azhar as a person who really kept to his word because he had admitted to taking the issue of occupational safety seriously and was fully responsible for the incident.
Lee, who is chairman of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh), is confident that Azhar's action could instill a culture of accountability and do away with the mentality of always pointing fingers whenever an issue arises in the country.
Azhar, 53, tendered his resignation yesterday following the incident in which three male Bangladeshi construction workers were crushed to death by a 650-tonne guideway span that collapsed at the MRT project site in Kota Damansara yesterday.
Starting tomorrow, the post of MRT Corp CEO will be held by its Land Management and Investment Liaison director, Haris Fadzilah Hassan, in an acting capacity.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the contractor involved did not adhere thoroughly to the standard operating procedure on safety, thus resulting in the loss of lives.
