Supernatural Management in the Malaysian Motor Industry

At one KLSE-listed co's motor subsidiary, what do you expect when one of the subsidiary heads consults mediums to see if he can or cannot "get along" with certain people.

Some people get hammered in the boardroom while others are mysteriously left alone. #Supernatural people management?

That subsidiary head was also named in a money-laundering case, where he appeared in court, having sent money overseas for a prominent figure through non-banking channels (moneychangers).

At another motor group headed by a famous "Dato", where 7 motor brands were lost, stolen parts were a HUGE problem.

Dealers out there were buying stolen parts from branches and selling them for 10x margin, lubricants for 4x margin!

If there's a lesson to be learn here, no one has learnt it for that "Dato" now heads a dealer group selling Proton cars. That very same Dato spent millions on unnecessary dealer incentives, renovations, branch, bodyshop and "tech centre" openings, and renovated his office in a lavish manner with layers and layers of security claiming he was targeted by "Black Magic" as he found a chicken head in one of his flowerpots.

Assertions that a cat may have done it only made him angry so he dismissed that in a haughty manner. Comical if it didn't involve millions in losses, and jobs lost.

Reputational risk, background checks do not seem to matter in the Malaysian motor industry.

Why does this keep happening in the Malaysian auto industry? It’s easy to say that it’s bottom-line driven, and that a few cents saved on every car means millions in profits for the corporation, hence ruthless leadership is required.

"Leaders" who are confident, speak with authority and have the gift of the gab excel.

But that’s not where the failure lies.

The Malaysian motor industry has had, more often than not ... a failure of leadership — leaders who continue sight of the people they serve: their customers. Not the shareholders. Not the Board of Directors. Not the dealer networks. Not the manufacturers of after-market accessories. Not the shareholders.