Do justice to qualified Sabahans, Upko tells KL

Kota Kinabalu: Sabahans are becoming fed up with the Federal Government's failure to fulfil what had been laid down in the 20 Points Agreement.

"Even after 47 years of being part of Malaysia, they are still waiting for the time when the 20 Points Agreement will be completely fulfilled," said United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) Vice President Senator Datuk Maijol Mahap.

Maijol claimed that the Federal Government is purposely delaying the appointment of qualified Sabahans to head federal departments and agencies in Sabah by playing the seniority criteria.

Its excuse for always rejecting the promotion of qualified Sabahan officers is that they are "junior" to their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia, but it must be remembered, the issue of seniority is not valid in the 20 Points Agreement because as soon as an officer is qualified, he must be appointed to head the department, Maijol stressed.

"To Sabahans, this delaying tactic which is continuously employed by the Federal Government has resulted in the State leaders having to repeatedly call for the 20 Points Agreement to be fulfilled.

"The people are getting more confused as to whose voice the Federal Government is listening to because it is ignoring the appeals of the State leadership including Chief Minister Datuk Seri Misa Aman, elected representatives, political parties both in the Barisan Nasional as well as the public," he said.

Maijol in his warning to the Federal Government urged it to bear in mind that there is a limit to the patience of Sabahans just like the people in Kelantan, Perak, Kedah, Selangor and Penang who made their unhappiness known through the ballot box.

He cited the recent vacancy at the State Customs Department following the promotion of its Director who is a Sabahan.

"Why was an officer from Peninsular Malaysia appointed to fill in the post when it was held by a Sabahan previously and there is a qualified Sabahan officer available?" he said.

He pointed out that since Sabah attained independence through the formation of Malaysia 47 years ago, the Customs Department in the State has had 11 directors but only two were Sabahans.

The Federal Government must lend an ear to the grouses of Sabahans because their requests are not without basis as they are all based on the 20 Points Agreement, one which states that the civil service in Sabah must be "Borneonised" when there is a qualified Sabahan.

If the Federal Government meets this request, then it would benefit from the stronger unity and goodwill between East and Peninsular Malaysia, he said.

RESOURCES FROM http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=74620

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