AN unlikely politician has emerged as an unexpected voice defending the appointment of a non-Bumiputera to lead the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) - a state agency traditionally associated with Bumiputera business development in the state.
Datuk James Wong Kein Peng’s selection as Group General Manager (GGM) of SEDCO has triggered a debate over whether the role should be reserved for a Bumiputera candidate.
But former Sabah Bersatu deputy chief Aksyah Nasrah, dismissed those concerns, arguing that leadership should be based on merit, not ethnicity.
“This is not about race, but about the capability to advance Sabah’s economy,” Aksyah said in a statement posted on his Facebook on Thursday.
“There’s no rule that says the GGM position is only for Bumiputeras,” he added.
SEDCO, established in 1971, was set up to support Bumiputera businesses and entrepreneurship.
Wong’s appointment comes as the agency moves into a new era, replacing Haizar Razif Hisyam, whose contract has ended.
While some have welcomed Wong’s leadership as a strategic step toward modernising SEDCO, others are questioning whether a non-Bumiputera should hold the top job at an agency designed to uplift Bumiputera entrepreneurs.
Aksyah, who left Sabah Bersatu late last year to back the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, insists that Wong is the right man for the job, saying his credentials and leadership skills speak for themselves.
Despite his move to support GRS, Aksyah’s current political affiliation remains unclear.
Born in Kota Kinabalu, Wong comes from a well-known Sabah family with strong ties to the state’s development.
His father, Datuk Francis Wong, was a renowned architect, while his sister, Penny Wong, serves as Australia’s Foreign Minister, the statement added.
Wong himself is an established business figure.
As CEO of a major architecture firm in Sabah, he oversees 50 senior staff and 200 field employees.
He has also won multiple national awards in architecture and business and has chaired the Sabah Chapter of the Malaysia Chinese Chamber of Commerce – Young Entrepreneurs Committee (MCCC-YEC).
Aksyah believes Wong’s leadership could set a new benchmark for government-linked companies (GLCs) in Sabah, arguing that his appointment represents a bold, merit-based decision rather than a departure from SEDCO’s original mission.
“This is an opportunity for Sabahans to learn from his experience rather than a controversy,” he said.
He urged Sabahans to focus on economic growth rather than ethnic divisions, saying Wong’s success could help propel the state’s economy forward.
The appointment marks a shift in SEDCO’s leadership approach, and whether it will be seen as a progressive step or a controversial break from tradition remains to be seen. – March 20, 2025
