KOTA KINABALU – A Sabah Umno leader has questioned the appointment of the state’s Local Government and Housing minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun as the official spokesperson on matters related to Covid-19.
Abdul Aziz Julkarnain said based on the hierarchical order, one of the three deputy chief ministers should be the ones filling in the role.
The state’s Umno Youth Chief said the public knows that the administrative hierarchy of the state government has three deputy chief ministers who should take care of the state administration during the absence of the chief minister.
"However, it did not happen and I think it should be corrected. With that in mind, I think that the deputy chief minister is the most appropriate person to carry out the duties of the chief minister and be the official spokesperson for the people,” he said.
Masidi was appointed to assume the role by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor, who is undergoing treatment for Covid-19 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Abdul Aziz said he did not intend to criticise the newly formed Sabah state government, but was merely offering a critique, as part of the machinery that helped establish the present government.
"The people of Sabah, whoever they are, are entitled to reprimand or criticise the government; to ensure check and balance, in the event if the government of the day has made a mistake,” he said.
"I do not deny the experience and wisdom of Masidi to carry out the task but the state government has an organisational structure.”
He said some (ministers) hold certain portfolios that should be respected so that they can function properly.
"For example, those (ministers) who take care of youth; should take care of the youth and there are also those who are in charge of health, should take care of health matters, and so on,” he added.
"Other than the deputy chief ministers, the minister in charge of the community development and people's well-being ministry is also suited for the Covid-19 role, as the health portfolio is under the ministry.” – The Vibes, October 14, 2020
