PARTI Warisan Sabah is following the lead of the Mahathir administration and removing the political appointees at government-linked companies (GLCs) in Sabah, sources said.

The move is part of a major shake-up in the state government.

Chief Minister Shafie Apdal has hinted there will be changes as the positions of senior officers, directors and managing directors undergo a review.

It was Shafie’s election pledge to remove all politically-appointed individuals, especially in the Sabah GLCs.

Although Warisan is not an official member of Pakatan Harapan, it is a close ally to the pact and its removal of political appointees is in sync with the federal administration’s actions on the peninsula.

Putrajaya has removed chief executives in GLCs and senior officers in the civil service known to be Barisan Nasional (BN) political appointees following the change of government after the May 9 polls.

In the latest purge reported by The Malaysian Insight, Putrajaya did not renew the contract of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) chief executive Mohd Badlisham Ghazali, which ends this month, while Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd chief executive Mohamad Salim Fateh Din will retire effective end-June.

A source directly involved in the matter said the move will allow for qualified professionals to move in.

This is also the Sabah government’s rationale for removing GLC heads in the state. There are 37 GLCs in Sabah.  

“Most of the bosses in the Sabah GLCs will be removed as they are political appointees. The process has started now that Hari Raya is over,” the source told The Malaysian Insight.
 
“The removal will be done in stages.”  

It is understood that many professionals have already submitted their resumes to fill the vacated spots to the chief minister’s office.

Among those targeted for removal is Samsudin Yahya, Batu Sapi Umno division chief and former Sekong assemblyman who helms Sabah Cement Industries Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Sabah-investment arm, Sabah Economic Development Corporation.

A coveted position is the Sabah Tourism Board chair previously held by Kiulu assemblyman Joniston Bangkuai, who had resigned just before GE14.

The source said several permanent secretaries and heads of departments will also be replaced.

“Some of the senior civil servants who have reached the retirement age of 58 years but who received contracts to extend their services will not have their contracts renewed. Some may even be told to go sooner,” the source said, adding the move will allow others to be promoted.

“Still, this may not apply to all as some of them are still needed during this transition phase of the state government.”

The source said public officials could only be removed by way of a transfer or upon expiry of their contracts, and not by sacking due to the red tape it entailed.

There are 56 agencies and 10 ministries in the state government. – June 22, 2018.