KOTA KINABALU:
The announcement of two Sabahan appointments to the Federal Civil Service by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Saturday was well- received by political parties in the State. Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Information Chief Johnny Mositun said they were happy with the approach taken by the Prime Minister as it is a win win situation for the people in Sabah. “This is quite a sensitive request from the people and of course the leaders in the Barisan Nasional (BN) are concerned about this and we are happy that all the component parties have decided and agreed,” he said, adding that the Opposition as well as the present day Government in Sabah were also concerned about the matter. “We are very, very touched (as) it is not easy to decide this but it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to respect the requests from the leaders. We are happy that the hard work of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman is fruitful. “Musa made sure that the requests were discussed and brought to the attention of the Prime Minister resulting in the appointments,” he said. Mositun however said that the Federal Government should also consider allowing more Sabahans to serve in the Federal Civil Service in the ‘Borneonization’ process. “Not only to head the Federal Government departments and agencies but also, if there is room, all races should be given the opportunity to lead the departments and agencies. The Federal Government should consider more Sabahans in the rank and file of the Federal Civil Service,” he said. Abdullah, after a meeting with State Government leaders and officials here on Saturday, announced the appointment of Sabah-born Datuk Kamaruzaman Ampong as the new Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice-Chancellor effective June 18 and Yusuf Saringgit as the new Sabah Federal Financial Officer effective May 31. United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (UPKO) Secretary General Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau when contacted, said Abdullah also mentioned that the State Secretary had been instructed to identify potential staff in the State Civil Service to be absorbed into the Federal Civil Service. “This move is to fulfill the requirement of Sabahans who will eventually head the Federal departments and agencies,” he said, adding that it was a most welcomed development. “In addition to that, the Federal Government should aggressively pursue recruitment of more Sabahans into the diplomatic service as administration officers. It is not right to say Sabahans are not interested to serve in the Federal Civil Service. “The Federal Government should be proactive in getting the necessary number of Sabahans to serve as diplomatic administration officers,” he said. On the appointment of Kamaruzaman, Madius said Upko had previously mentioned to Abdullah the issue of a non-Sabahan appointed as the Vice- Chancellor when UMS started operations. “Universities in other States such as Unimas in Sarawak all have locals as the Vice Chancellor. Why must Sabah be made an exception? (It is) not that the existing Vice Chancellor is not good but it raises questions in the minds of Sabahans why a Sabahan was not appointed in the first place. “The question in Sabahans’ minds is ‘what is wrong with us? Are we not trusted to shoulder the responsibility?” he asked. Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, who is also the Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) President, said the appointments were very welcomed by the people of Sabah, especially the young generation and professionals. He however suggested that the Federal Government also consider appointing Sabahans to head the State Immigration and National Registration Departments. “If possible, appoint Sabahans to these posts as the departments should be headed by Sabahans too in view of the many instances where the MyKads and birth certificates were issued just like that to people who are not qualified,” he said. With Sabahans at the helm of these two departments, they are more understanding of the sentiments Sabahans have about the illegal immigrants,” Kurup stressed.
