KUCHING, May 4: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Santubong chief Ahmad Nazib Johari’s comment on the appointment of the Department of Communications (J-KOM) Sarawak director reflects his ignorance, said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Abdul Karim explained that Ahmad Nazib should not be the person commenting on the issue because the latter is ‘the interested party’.
“Do you expect him to say otherwise, that is, the Federal government should consult Sarawak first before appointing anyone to that post?” Abdul Karim questioned.
He said even though Ahmad Nazib is a lawyer, the latter has never been in the public service, either under Federal or Sarawak governments and that was why the latter would not be able to understand how a government is administered and managed especially when it comes to Sabah and Sarawak.
To Abdul Karim who is also Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, in a federal system of government where there exists a two-tier government, one at the Federal and another at regional level, no doubt each being ‘independent’ of each other, there are a lot of consultations between the two entities in reality.
Abdul Karim pointed out that that has been why in Sarawak, there is a ‘Federal Secretary’ post whose responsibility is to guide and advise Federal agencies to avoid any disputes with the Sarawak government or its agencies.
Citing the examples of top positions of Federal departments and agencies such as the head of Immigration Department, the commissioner of police, the education director, the head of Fire and Rescue Department, Abdul Karim said these posts are normally appointed by Federal government only after ‘consultation’ and seeking the views from Sarawak.
“For Ahmad Nazib to say that the Federal government is not obligated to consult Sarawak for J-KOM (Department of Communications) Sarawak director, this shows his inexperience in understanding Sarawak and Federal relationship.
“Ahmad Nazib’s comment shows his ignorance.
“Rightly he does not show competence in holding that important post and be an intermediary to bridge the gap between Malaya and Sarawak,” said Abdul Karim in a statement today.
Abdul Karim was responding to Ahmad Nazib’s statement, where the latter said that the new Department of Communications (J-KOM) Sarawak director had received the blessing of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Ahmad Nazib said this at the PKR Kuching, Stampin and Santubong branches’ Aidilfitri open house at Jalan Satok here today.
The PKR Santubong chief said the J-KOM Sarawak director position is a Federal position, and as such, the Federal government is not obligated to consult Sarawak before any appointment.
Ahmad Nazib said this in response to Abdul Karim’s earlier statement on April 9 which questioned the Federal government’s sincerity over the rumoured appointment of Ahmad Nazib without first consulting Sarawak government. — DayakDaily
