Why Sideline Sabah When Choosing New Uni Head Says Upko Man

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Upko vice-president Lucas Umbul says this is a matter of courtesy. (Facebook pic)KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah politician says Pakatan Harapan has failed to show it was better than Barisan Nasional after appointing a university vice-chancellor here without consulting the state leadership
Upko vice-president Lucas Umbul said although it was the education ministry’s prerogative when it comes to such appointments, the least the ministry could do was to inform the state of the appointment before making a final decision
“This is disappointing. PH should be much better than this. Why didn’t Putrajaya give even a little respect to Sabah?” said Umbul, a former senator, when commenting on the appointment of new Universiti Malaysia Sabah vice-chancellor Dr Taufiq Yap Yun Hin
“We know this is under their jurisdiction but this directly involves Sabah. The least they can do is provide information (on the appointment) first before deciding. That’s what you call courtesy.”Upko is part of the coalition that forms the Sabah government, besides Warisan and PH component parties DAP and PKR
Yesterday Chief Minister Shafie Apdal had said the education ministry did not consult the state government over the UMS VC’s appointment
“I have not been informed about this. They (education ministry) decided on this without informing the top leadership, the UMS chancellor, who is Sabah governor Juhar Mahiruddin, or me as the chief minister,” he was quoted as saying
Shafie added that he had told Education Minister Maszlee Malik that the state government would submit names for consideration if a change was needed but, unfortunately, the minister decided the matter on his own
According to a letter issued by the education ministry, Taufiq’s appointment takes effect on July 30 and will run until July 29, 2022
Lucas, who is also Upko’s education bureau chief, said this latest action by the federal government is seen as “sidelining Sabah’s voice”
He said the other was when Putrajaya failed to inform the Sabah government last May that the finance ministry had cancelled the RM9.4 billion Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline
“If these two incidents are taken as a yardstick, then it is obvious PH is no better than BN. That is the perception by the grassroots community and I agree with it.”He said such actions are against the spirit of government relations and not in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963, which promotes equal partnership
Lucas said the state’s input was important considering that UMS, being the main university in the state, should support Sabah’s strategic needs. - FMT

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