KUCHING: Tan Sri Kamal Salih quits amidst controversy and strong criticisms following his appointment to post as chairman of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) replacing Tan Sri Sulong Matjeraie whose term is due to end in April 2021.
The announcement of his resignation came days after the Sarawak government issued a statement that it was not consulted over the appointment nor notified officially of the appointment prior to the media announcement.
The statement had also said that the Unimas Board chairman had always been appointed after consultation with the state government.
Kamal, a prominent economist, had told Free Malaysia Today that he heard from some parties that the Sarawak government wanted a Sarawakian and that everyone knows and they did voice their dissatisfaction over not being consulted on his appointment.
Kamal was the MP for Wangsa Maju from 1996 to 1999 and has held various positions in government agencies. He was once a deputy vice-chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia.
He was the first non-Sarawakian to be appointed Unimas chairman.
