The Malaysian Insight

THE infighting in Sabah think tank, Institute for Development Studies, has been resolved, said Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal, today.

He said Simon Sipaun will remain chairman while former CEO Johan Ariffin will have to go.

“I have met both parties, Sipaun and Johan. Both are my friends, colleagues and supporters (to Parti Warisan Sabah).

“So, I called them both and I believed the matter is resolved… for the former CEO, I will discuss further and find a solution so that he will have other places to go,” he told reporters today.

Shafie said this to reporters after attending a forum on the new Sabah government held in Kota Kinabalu today.

Infighting broke in IDS when Johan challenged his removal as CEO after the board of directors voted not to confirm his six-month probation period at a meeting in May.

Sipaun had defended the removal as it was done according to the procedure.

Shafie was dragged into the matter when Johan met him to stop his removal, and the chief minister promised to resolve the matter.

Both men met Shafie on several occasions this month.

According to Shafie, IDS is important to the state government to formulate policies and plans for 12th Malaysia Plan.

The IDS controversy is the second incident involving the abrupt removal of key persons in a state government agency.

In late April, the directors of the Sabah Tourism Board sacked general manager Suzaini Ghani. – June 18, 2019.