Is it Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's principle to shift the burden of losses by government-linked companies to the public?

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng posed this question in commenting on the government's proposal for a voluntary separation scheme (VSS) for employees of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) in order to cut operational costs.

"If the government is serious about reshuffling and saving MAS, those (responsible for the) mistakes must be held accountable, and not the staff who are not guilty," he said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

"In order to save MAS, (the management is opting to) downsize and reduce salaries. However, no action is being taken against those responsible for the losses."

Describing the proposed VSS as unfair and unreasonable, he suggested that those responsible be made to make good the losses if required.

Lim claimed the authorities' failure to take action against abuse of power has contributed to the problem, citing the police reports against then managing director Tajudin Ramli since 2001.

"No action was taken against him. The losses are a result of abuse of power that took place at that time," he alleged.

The national carrier suffered a net loss of RM280.7 million in the first quarter, ending June.

Tajudin Ramli then announced his retirement. He will be replaced by Idris Jala (photo) who takes over as chief executive next month.

Last week, it was reported that MAS would be undertaking a cost-cutting drive from next month. This will see senior staff taking a 30 percent pay cut.

On Monday, Finance Ministry parliamentary secretary Helmi Yahaya said that MAS should consider offering VSS to its employees in order to cut costs.