By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, April 9: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has questioned the sincerity of the federal government over the rumoured appointment of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Santubong division chief Ahmad Nazib Johari as the new director of Department of Communications (J-KOM) Sarawak.
He said he had learnt of the alleged appointment on social media today and implied that it is insensitive on the federal government’s part if it did so.
“If you want to befriend and work together with Sarawak, ask us first who should take the position although the right to appoint (the director) lies with the federal government.
“The one who was (allegedly) appointed is from PKR. He has contested against us (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) many times including our Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof. He lost badly (in elections) but he is being appointed.
“I do not know if he has repented or not but if he is still the same person who attempted to disunite the people, do not appoint him,” he told reporters during the ‘Juh Berambeh Sungkei’ programme at Padang Merdeka here today.
Abdul Karim who is also Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts further said that he did not know whether Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim is aware of this matter.
He also mentioned that the new J-KOM director Dato Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff recently paid a courtesy call on Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to build good relations with the Sarawak government.
“Now, this kind of thing (rumoured appointment) happened. We question your (federal government) sincerity towards Sarawak,” he added.
Yesterday (April 8), PKR chief Roland Engan wrote a congratulatory message addressing Ahmad Nazib’s appointment as the new J-KOM Sarawak director on his Facebook page.
“Congratulations to Ahmad Nazib who has been appointed as the director of J-KOM Sarawak,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, a local English daily earlier today reported that Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzi has denied Ahmad Nazib was appointed as J-KOM Sarawak director.
On the contrary, he disclosed that the position would be occupied by a candidate proposed by Abang Johari. — DayakDaily
