The appointment of Datuk James Wong Kein Peng as Group General Manager (GGM) of the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) has prompted debate over whether leadership roles in the agency should be reserved for Bumiputera candidates.

SEDCO, established in 1971, was set up to support Bumiputera businesses and entrepreneurship. Wong’s appointment, announced two days ago, marks the first time a non-Bumiputera has taken the top executive position in the agency’s history.

While some have questioned whether the decision aligns with SEDCO’s mission, others argue that leadership should be based on professional qualifications rather than ethnicity.

On social media, reactions have been mixed. One Facebook user, Maspi Peran, expressed concern over the appointment, arguing that SEDCO’s leadership had always been Bumiputera and suggesting the move could affect public confidence in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government.

Another user, Awang Aslee, took a more neutral stance, acknowledging the significance of the appointment but calling for continued focus on Bumiputera economic participation.

It is uncertain whether the GGM position at SEDCO has ever been officially designated as Bumiputera-only, as no public guidelines explicitly outline such a requirement. Previous appointments, however, have all been from the Bumiputera community.

BorneoVox has contacted Sabah’s Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, who oversees SEDCO, for comment. As of publication, there has been no response.

Discussions surrounding the appointment continue, with observers waiting to see whether SEDCO or the state government will address the concerns raised. – March 19, 2025