Address the issue of state civil service recruitment imbalance - Ewon

15 Sept 2023

By Wartawan Nabalu News

PENAMPANG: United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) President Datuk Ewon Benedick has called on for a clear and transparent recruitment of state public service staff.

Ewon said he has received many complaints with regard to the recruitment of state civil service staff that did not reflect the racial demography in Sabah.

He pointed out the case with Sabah State Museum Department.

“As president of a political party, which supports the State leadership under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, I hope the support given can be translated into the implementation of policies which are balanced and clear including on matters relating to the recruitment of civil staffers.

“Many say that we have many elected representatives among the Momogun community, who support the state leadership and the state government but it does not reflect on the imbalance in the recruitment of our state civil service.

He believed the issue cropped up after observations done on various ministries, agencies and departments including the Sabah Museum.

Ewon said he would meet with the Chief Minister to discuss on the issue.

Ewon, who is the Federal Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development Minister made the remarks after attending a briefing on the Penampang Development Plan at Wisma IDS, here.

He was earlier asked to comment on the recruitment of new staff at the Sabah State Museum Department, which is said to be 'one-sided' and characterised as 'nepotism'.

“UPKO party wants a better policy from the Sabah government in the filling of senior posts, promotions,and recruitment of new staff that is based on the racial demography of Sabah.

“There was an assurance given before at the State Legislative Assembly on the issue of promotions and hiring of new staff that will take into account the various communities," he added.

Ewon said if there was any truth on the Sabah State Museum Department case, that means there was a serious administrative mistake, which needs the attention of the Chief Minister.

“As UPKO president, I welcome any information on the issue raised on the filling of senior posts, promotions, and the hiring of new staff in departments and agencies so that the matter can be discussed and addressed together.

Ewon who is Penampang MP and Kadamaian assemblyman said he would also use other suitable platforms to discuss and address the matter apart from bringing it up with the Chief Minister.