UNIMAS CHAIRMAN’S QUIT DECISION
KUCHING: It is honourable of Kamal to resign and not accept the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Board of Directors’ chairman appointment, said Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said this to New Sarawak Tribune following Tan Sri Dr Kamal Mat Salih’s resignation on Monday.
“He understands the unwritten convention of certain important positions in Sarawak where although federal ministers have the prerogative to appoint, they must respect the ‘unwritten convention’ of referral and get the blessings from the Sarawak government.”
Abdul Karim, who is also the Youth and Sports Minister, explained that it was due to the unwritten convention that the relationship between the federal government and the Borneon states remained harmonious all this years.
“Any attempt to put aside this unwritten convention would create the feeling of animosity and distrust where in the long run, is not good for Malaysia as a whole.
“He understands this and hopefully those holding high posts in the federal ministry could learn from this,” he said.
Kamal’s resignation came days after the Sarawak government issued a statement that it was not consulted nor officially notified of the appointment prior to the media announcement. He told Free Malaysia Today that there were some parties who wanted a Sarawakian and had voiced their dissatisfaction over not being consulted about his appointment.
