PBS secretary-general Johnny Mositun told FMT it was disappointing that the education ministry appeared to believe Sabahans were not good enough to fill the post, which was given to Penang-born Mohd Sofi Osman.

“(Sofi’s) predecessor, Zaki Azmi, was no different as he was not a Sabahan either,” he added.

“The education minister should have chosen candidates from among the Sabahans in the current board of directors as any of them is capable of being the chairman.”

Mositun, the former Sabah deputy speaker, urged the state government to take a stand on the issue.

“The chief minister must ensure the post is held by a Sabahan instead of a non-Sabahan like Sofi.

“The spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 has been put to shame, and the chief minister is turning a blind eye and not fighting for Sabah and its people,” he said.

Sofi was appointed to the post on Oct 1, replacing Zaki whose tenure was shortened by Education Minister Maszlee Malik on grounds that he was a political appointee.

Sofi’s tenure will end on Sept 30, 2021.

Other board members are Sabah state secretary Hashim Paijan, Higher Education Department director Siti Hamisah Tapsir, Sabah Credit Corporation CEO Vincent Pung Yee Kiong, Sabah Health Department director Dr Christina Rundi and Intelligent Capital Sdn Bhd managing partner Asgari Fuad Stephens.