Sarawak ‘regrets’ Unimas chairman appointment, says not consulted by Federal govt

The Sarawak government is seeking clarification from the Federal Government on why it was not consulted over the appointment of Tan Sri Dr. Kamal Mat Salih as Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s (Unimas) fourth chairman.

The Chief Minister’s Office said it was “regrettable” that Kamal’s appointment was not referred to the state government.

It also said the state government was not officially notified of the appointment prior to its announcement in the media.

“It has to be clarified that the Unimas board chairman has always been appointed after consultation with the state government.

“This has been the process that was adhered to since the appointment of the first chairman Tan Sri Bujang Mohd Nor, second chairman Datuk Dr. Hatta Solhi and third chairman Tan Sri Sulong Matjeraie, whose term was set to expire on April 30, 2021,” the office said in a statement on Friday (Jan 3).

It was reported earlier on Friday that Kamal, the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research chairman, would replace former Federal Court judge Sulong as the Unimas board of directors chairman.

Sulong’s three-year term was cut short on Dec 20 last year after being appointed on May 1, 2018.

Kamal, the first non-Sarawakian appointed to the post, is set to serve from Jan 1 this year to Dec 31, 2022.

He previously served in Universiti Sains Malaysia from 1973 to 1985 and held various positions in government agencies. He was also formerly Wangsa Maju MP from 1996 to 1999.

The Star