KUALA LUMPUR: The Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry had several vacancies to be filled.
On June 27, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak chose Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, 55, to helm the ministry.
It was homecoming for the Gerakan president as the Gerakan legend, the late-Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik was the primary industries (the ministry’s former name) minister from 1986 to 2004.
“This portfolio used to be termed as the Gerakan portfolio with the late-Tun Dr Lim leading it for almost two decades,” Mah had said after he clocked in at his new office last month.
When asked on his leadership style, Mah smiled and replied, “I’m the kind of person who listens to every side.
“When I moved into this ministry, many people advised me to change this and that. But I think the present structure is doing well. I know people in this ministry are doing their very best. I seek their opinions,” the minister said.
Last month, Mah was in China participating in the World Economic Forum, where he spent time with Haier Group founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Zhang Ruimin, one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs.
Haier is the world’s fastest-growing household appliance maker and has the largest market share in “white goods” worldwide.
Mah said Zhang’s philosophy was to show respect to the people he worked with.
“He doesn’t go into a newly-
acquired company and change everything. He is receptive to ideas from the existing management.
“I look forward to working together with the industry and my officers. Of course, as minister, I will decide. That’s why I keep an open mind. I’m open to ideas. At the end of the day, we only have one goal. We want to have the best for our people, for our country,” he added.