The success of partnership under the PPP initiatives are so much depending on how good it is managed because practically and theoretically PPP has been said as a complex process especially during its implementation. The lack of prior research on specific understanding about what is the essential skill and knowledge in managing the privatization under the PPP is required to further benefitting the efficiency process in implementing the privatization initiative especially in the context of Malaysia as the method of privatization are different between countries. Thus, the adoption of strategic human resource planning and cooperation between relevant agencies and private sector is needed to better upgrading the potential and capability of the personnel involve in this initiative. This research aim is to study what are the most needed skill and knowledge that can better improve the implementation of this initiative especially on the government sector. This study specifically focus on of privatization of Northport (M) Bhd. because the project is currently in the process of renewing privatization concession. This research is based on data obtained from interviewed conducted with officers from relevant government agencies and Northport (M) Bhd. This study has interviewed in total 9 officers from the relevant government agencies and Northport (M) Bhd. A structured and semi structured interview questions are used to obtain the data from the respondents. The data was analysed using NVIVO to categories the data into different themes. The data analysis were carried out to evaluate and determine what is the most needed skill and knowledge required to effectively managing the implementation of privatization in Malaysia port sector from the perspective of the officers from both sides. In addition, the research also look at the degree of capacity building and its barrier and make some comparison from the experience of other countries in the results on skill and knowledge. The results on the knowledge and skill provide guideline in assessing the right background of personnel in managing PPP. The results of the study also suggested that a holistic strategic approach is needed for the human resource and talent management to successfully managing the initiative as well as to further transform the specific approach and to strengthen cooperation with the private sector. It is hope that the study can contribute to the improvement of the implementation of privatization initiatives in Malaysia port sector.
