Shafie defends appointments and asks why making noise now
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has defended the appointment of the Sarawak-born Sandakan Municipal Council (SMC) president and new Sabah Water Department director, stressing that they are the right people with the right skills for the jobs.
Shafie, who is keen to move forward from the issue, said the matter should not have been raised by certain quarters as similar appointments had been made in the past by the previous administration.
“No need for us to voice it. The important thing is the right person, at the right place with skills and have the capabilities, from the Water Department to the Council. We are convinced that these people have the capabilities, experience,” Shafie responded to the press after the Job Fair 5.0 launch at a mall here yesterday.
“In the past, he (Hii) was a (municipal) councillor. There was no issue. Now it is an issue.
“How many employment opportunities did the BN government give to millionaires from Sarawak when Musa Aman was Chief Minister? Tauke-tauke (bosses) from Sarawak? There was no noise, it is now noisy.
“This is not a Sarawakian. He is a permanent resident of Sabah, has lived in Sabah for 40, 50 years. If we question his race, then that would be a problem. There are descendants of the Caucasians, who have served and now have become senator,” he added.
Peter Hii Chang Lik’s appointment as the SMC president was questioned and criticised by the opposition, who questioned why a Sarawakianborn person was named as the president.
However, political and community leaders as well as members of the public fully support his appointment.
The appointment of water engineer Amarjit Singh as the Sabah Water Department director was also criticised.