Shafie confirms resignation of UMS chairman over vice-chancellor's appointment

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has not put the issue of the appointment of the new Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) vice-chancellor (VC) behind it, as they confirmed the resignation of the university’s chairman Datuk KY Mustafa.

KY, whose term was to have ended on Oct 31, 2021, reportedly sent the resignation letter on Aug 1, partly due to dissatisfaction over the federal Education Ministry not consulting the state government over the appointment.

At a press conference after Wednesday's (Aug 7) state assembly sitting, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal described KY’s resignation as a "loss" and it should serve as a reminder for federal agencies to refer to Sabah on state-level matters.

“Actually, he (KY) did inform and discuss the matter with me.

“I tried my level best to ask him not to resign but he took that action because he felt the administrative process on the appointment of the new VC was not proper.

“While we are aware it is the federal Education Ministry’s right to appoint the VC, they also need to understand that the management of UMS has made its own plans,” he said when asked to confirmed KY’s resignation.

“While we are aware it is the federal Education Ministry’s right to appoint the VC, they also need to understand that the management of UMS has made its own plans,” he said when asked to confirmed KY’s resignation.

On the UMS VC appointment, Shafie said he has spoken to Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik on the matter, telling him that consultation must be done especially on education, which is a priority for the state.

When asked if the state government has any issue with the new UMS VC Prof Taufiq Yap Yun Hin, Shafie said; "Even though he (Prof Taufiq) is a Sabahan, it is not so much about where he came from, his religion or race, but what is important is (his) delivery system or service.

“But the federal Education Ministry may have other considerations, while we have our own considerations,” he said, adding that the state government actually submitted several names of candidates with vast experience.

Asked if it was becoming a tendency of the Federal Government not to consult the state on policies or decision-making, Shafie said this had occurred and gave the air departure levy as an example.

“Although some things are not under our authority, they should get some input from us because we want things to be done properly as well.

“Don’t take the input from the state government lightly,” he said.

Shafie said once KY’s resignation has been finalised, he will sit down with UMS Chancellor Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and the UMS administration team to come up with a list of eligible names.

“In the past, Datuk KY Mustafa was proposed by the state government because he was a former civil servant; he is not a politician and he has vast experience, as well as being a former state secretary.

“We believed (then) he had the ability to manage UMS,” he explained.

Meanwhile responding on Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai’s questioning why an additional RM3.45mil allocation was required for purchasing state medal awards during the sitting on Monday, Shafie clarified that this is not only for purchasing new medals but also to clear backdated payments.

“We give awards to those who are deserving. Some of the additional allocation goes to due payments, and some for new (medals),” he explained, responding to Joniston's query on whether the additional amount meant more recipients of the state medal awards this year.- Star