Photo: Bernama filepic
KOTA KINABALU: Recruitment for the Sabah civil service should be done transparently and reflect the racial demographics of the state, says Parti Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick (pic).
He said such transparency in recruitment was important as he had received complaints that recent intakes involving the civil service were not reflective of the population's composition.
"As the president of a party that supports the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, I hope this (backing) can translate into the implementation of balanced and transparent policies including the recruitment of state civil servants," he told reporters after a briefing on the Penampang Development Plan near here on Friday (Sept 15).
"There are many assemblymen from the Momogun (a broad term to refer to ethnic Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus) fully supporting the leadership of the Chief Minister and the state government.
"I believe this complaint was triggered based on observations in various ministries, agencies and government departments including the recent allegation about nepotism in fresh recruitments by the Sabah Museum.
"I will meet with the Chief Minister to discuss this matter," said Benedick, who is federal Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister.
He said Upko hopes to see a clear and transparent policy put in place by the state government for the filling of senior positions, promotions and new recruitments in the Sabah civil service.
"Previously there was a guarantee in the state assembly in relation to this matter, that promotions and new recruitments will take into account the role of each community.
"But if the complaint (regarding) the Sabah Museum is used as evidence that there is injustice and lack of transparency in the recruitment of new staff, then (it is) a big error in governance and needs to be addressed by the Chief Minister," he added.
The Sabah government was reported to be investigating claims that a senior museum official had appointed about 10 relatives to key positions.
