PARTI Bersatu Sabah today questioned the appointment of an “outsider” to the position of Sandakan Municipal Council president. 

Its secretary-general, Johnny Mositun, said the appointment of Hu Chang Lik, a Sarawakian businessman, bypassed the norm of appointing individuals into senior government post.   

“PBS has come to know that the Local Government and Housing Ministry has appointed Hu on a one-year contract on Jusa C salary scale.  

“This runs contrary to the policy of priority for Sabahans to head government departments, agencies and institutions. 

“It makes no sense at all,” he said in a statement today. 

Calling on the Chief Minister’s Office and Local Government and Housing Ministry for an explanation, Mositun said his office had already received protests and complaints on the matter. 

“But PBS is an opposition party, and the best we can do is voice our opposition to this appointment.” 

The appointment was similar to another of a non-civil servant as Sabah Water Department director. 

“It is insulting to Sabahans that the chief minister has no confidence in our civil service,” Mositun said. 

“I know for sure there are many Sabahans who are as qualified, if not more than qualified, to be Sandakan Municipal Council president, just as there are many civil servants who deserve to be Water Department director.” 

He said it was a worrying trend and indicative of cronyism on the part of the Warisan administration. – August 30, 2018.