KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (pic) expressed uncertainty about the renewal of his term as Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman.
When asked about whether his term will be renewed, he stated, “I cannot speak for myself, I don’t know.” He made this comment after an event in Kota Kinabalu on December 21st.
He added, “I think it’s best that we just wait for an announcement … if there is anything to wait for,” indicating that there has been no official communication regarding the renewal of his tenure. His term as STB chairman officially ended in mid-November, but he is still listed as the chairman on the board’s website.
Bangkuai was first appointed as the STB chairman in 2013 and served until 2018. However, after a change in government that year, he was not reappointed. With Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coming to power following the snap state elections in 2020, Bangkuai was later reinstated as STB chairman in 2021. This was in addition to being named an assistant minister.
Datuk Christina Liew, the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, mentioned on December 1st that the appointment of the STB chairman was in process, but she did not indicate whether it would be a new face.
When asked if she was considering renewing Bangkuai’s term or appointing a new chairman, Liew replied, “It’s a tricky question. Based on my records, (for) most of them (agencies under her ministry), the terms end in November and December. There may be some movement … I will look into it.” She also stated that she consults and discusses such appointments with the Chief Minister, who is Hajiji Noor, the GRS chairman.
Liew, who first served as the state tourism minister during the Warisan Plus administration from 2018 to 2020, was reappointed as minister following the Sabah political crisis in January. This crisis arose after Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin cut ties with GRS led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
After working with Parti Warisan and Parti KDM, Sabah Umno attempted to overthrow Hajiji’s government. However, Hajiji managed to hold on to power thanks to support from seven Sabah Pakatan assemblymen and several Sabah Umno renegades. This allowed Hajiji, the GRS chairman, to have majority support in the 79-seat Sabah state assembly.
