Public enterprises and public accountability: methodological issues

Abstract

A United Nations Research Group Report issued in 1973 said, "Among developing countries there is hardly a government that is not managing an expanding public enterprise sector on one scale or another, with a view to accelerating national economic development" (United Nations, 1973). As for Malaysia it was already recognised even in the early years after the formation of the Federation of Malaya in 1948 that certain public services could not suitably be developed within the traditional structure of government organisation. Government activities involving the sale of goods and services were then classified in financial reports under the category of "Undertakings of a Commercial Character". Postal, telecommunication, electricity, water supply and railway services were included in this category.