Sabahan Becomes PM's Aide?

A Sabahan intellectual, Dr Oh Ei Sun, has been appointed Political Secretary to the Prime Minister, a local Chinese newspaper reported today.

According to the Overseas Chinese Daily News (OCDN), the leading East Malaysian socio-political analyst is now one of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's aides; presumably to advise the new PM on East Malaysian and Chinese affairs.

According to the leading Sabah Chinese daily, Dr Oh's appointment was prompted by the recommendation of Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman. Dr Oh used to be a columnist with the New Sabah Times, a local English daily whose Chairman is Datuk Ayub Aman, the CM's brother.

The OCDN reported that Dr Oh has actually started work but there has been no official announcement. Efforts by the paper to contact him for confirmation failed by press time last night.

The 35-year-old Dr Oh who hails from Kota Kinabalu was once described as Sabah's child prodigy. At age 19, he obtained Bachelor Degrees in Engineering, Aviation and German philosophy. He later obtained Masters in International Commerce and an MBA. He became a Doctor of Philosophy at age 24.

The OCDN concluded its short report by describing Dr Oh as "a UN consultant, university lecturer, researcher, current affairs commentator, columnist and speaker".

Only a few years ago, nobody in Malaysia or Sabah knew who Dr Oh was. But today, he is one of the country's most sought after socio-political commentator especially among the Chinese Radio/TV programmes and newspapers.

He had also appeared in many seminars, forums and conferences in and outside Sabah either as panelist or paper presenter; including as Moderator during the DAP-organised Public Forum held in Kota Kinabalu on 16 September 2008. Among the spekaers during the event held at the Kian Kok Middle School was SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee and DAP adviser LimKit Siang. On 17 September 2008, SAPP officially left the BN.

Before he shot to fame, Dr Oh was closely associated with the SAPP. Following SAPP's departure from BN however, it is not known whether he is now associated with the Yong faction or Raymond Tan faction which remained in BN.

Dr Oh's sudden appointment as Pol Sec to the PM came as a pleasant surprise to Sabahans as this is the first time in Malaysia's 51-year history that a Sabahan is holding such post. Although Sabahans had been federal minisaters and deputy minisaters over the last few decades including in the PM's Department, Dr Oh's appointment raised eyebrows in view of the political clout that comes with the post.

A political secretary to the PM is seen as a very influential post as the holder literally walks among the corridors of power. Since the formation of Malaysia in 1963, many former Pol Secs to the PM had gone on to become Parliamentary Sec (a post abolished after the March 2008 election), then Deputy Minister and eventually Minister.

Dr Oh's appointment is also reminiscent of the appointment of Chinese lawyer Mathius Chang to a similar capacity by former PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The senior lawyer-turned author retired together with Dr M a few years ago.

Dr Oh's appointment also came after new Home Minister Datuk Hishamuddin Tun Hussein appointed prominent Chinese social worker Datuk Michael Chong as Special Officer. Observers described the appointments of both Dr Oh and Chong as being in line with the new PM's "1 Malaysia" concept whereby no community will be left out. The BN lost heavily in Chinese areas in last year's general election.