New mayor Abidin a slap for the Chinese

Sabah Barisan Nasional, already at odds with the Chinese community in the state, has further riled them with its latest announcement.

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Musa Aman, ignoring vociferous calls for a Chinese mayor for the Kota Kinabalu City Hall, has appointed former local government and housing permanent secretary Abidin Madingkir to the post.

Abidin’s appointment will deeply disappoint the Chinese community here who have been actively campaigning for a leader from the community.

Senior leaders of the business community like Lim Vun Chan, president of Persatuan Restoran Persahabatan Sabah, and Luyang People Development leader Chin Tek Ming had urged Musa to appoint current director-general of City Hall, Yeo Boon Hai, as mayor.

According to Lim, the advantage of having a Chinese as mayor is that he or she would understand most of the needs of the city’s residents and businessmen, the majority of whom are Chinese.

“It would be an honour to the Chinese community if its representative is to be appointed to such an important post,” he said.

“We believe there are capable Chinese… Yeo is a suitable candidate.”

Yeo is seen as able to work closely with the city’s residents, particularly the Chinese businessmen.

Abidin is the third mayor after Illiyas Ibrahim who served two full four-year terms and Abdul Ghani Rashid. Iliyas’s second term expires tomorrow.

According to Musa, the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition partners reached a consensus to appoint Abidin, a Dusun from Ranau.

Abidin, 57, joined the civil service in 1978 and his first posting was with the state Economic Planning Unit.

He also served as permanent secretary to various state ministries, including local government and housing, agriculture, youth and sports and Resource Development and Information Technology.

He has a degree in law from UK. - FMT