THE appointment of Datuk James Wong Kein Peng as Group General Manager (GGM) of the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) has sparked discussion on whether the leadership of the agency, which focuses on Bumiputera economic empowerment, should reflect its target demographic.
News of his appointment emerged two days ago, marking the first time in SEDCO’s history that a non-Bumiputera has been given the top executive post.
While some have raised concerns about whether this aligns with SEDCO’s core mission, others view it as a move based on professional merit.
A Facebook user, Maspi Peran, questioned the rationale behind the decision, arguing that SEDCO’s leadership has historically been Bumiputera.
He also linked the issue to wider political concerns, suggesting it could affect public perception of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government ahead of the next state election (PRN17).
Meanwhile, another social media user, Awang Aslee, took a more neutral stance, acknowledging the historic nature of the appointment while expressing hope that the new GGM would remain committed to Bumiputera economic participation.
SEDCO, established in 1971, was tasked with supporting Bumiputera entrepreneurs in business and industry. However, it remains uncertain whether the GGM position has ever been officially restricted to Bumiputera candidates, as no public guidelines explicitly state such a requirement.
The Vibes has reached out to the state Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, who oversees SEDCO, for clarification. However, as of press time, he has yet to respond.
It remains to be seen whether SEDCO or the state government will address the concerns surrounding the appointment as discussions continue online. – March 19, 2025
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