New Unimas chairman
KUCHING: The Sarawak government will seek clarification from the federal government on the appointment of Tan Sri Dr Kamal Mat Salih as the fourth chairman of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s (Unimas) board of directors.
In a statement issued from the Chief Minister’s Office yesterday, it mentioned that they only knew about the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) chairman’s appointment through the media.
“It is regrettable that the appointment of Tan Sri Dr Kamal Salih has not been referred to the Sarawak government.
“It has to be clarified that the Unimas board chairman has always been appointed after consultation with the state government.
“This has been the process that was adhered to since the appointment of the first chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Bujang Mohd Nor, second chairman Datuk Dr Hatta Solhi, and the third chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Sulong Matjeraie whose term is set to expire on April 30, 2021,” it read.
It also mentioned that the state government was not officially notified of his appointment prior to the announcement.
Kamal, who is an economist, policy advisor, academic administrator and a former politician, will be the first non-Sarawakian to hold the position as his predecessors were Sarawakians.
He is set to serve for a period of three years starting January 1, 2020 until December 31, 2022.
