Sikmading's Sabah, Malaysian Borneo: Sandakan, Tawau get new Presidents

Psalm of the Day - Evening Prayer for Help

Answer Me When I pray, O God, my defender! When I was in trouble, you helped me. Be kind to me now and hear my prayer. How long will you people insult me? How long will you love what is worthless and go after what is false? Remember that the Lord has chosen the righteous for his own, and he hears me when I call to him. Tremble with fear and stop sinning; think deeply about this, when you lie in silence on your beds. Offer the right sacrifices to the Lord, and put your trust in him. There are many who pray: "Give me more blessings, O Lord. Look on us with kindness!" But the joy that you have given me is more than they will ever have with all their grain and wine. When I lie down, I go to sleep in peace; you alone, O Lord, keep me perfectly safe.

- Psalm 4, Book One taken from the Good News Bible, Today's English Version.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Sandakan, Tawau get new Presidents

KOTA KINABALU: Engineer James Wong was today appointed as the new President of the Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS).

Hajiji (left) handing over appointment letter to Wong

Ir. Wong, 53, took his oath-of-office before Sabah's Minister for Local Government and Housing, Datuk Haji Hajiji Haji Noor at the Ministry in Kota Kinabalu.

Ismail (right) receiving his appointment letter from Hajiji

He later took his pledge of good conduct (Akujanji) as a civil servant in front of the Ministry's permanent secretary, Datuk Haji Ujang Haji Sulani; witnessed by the Minister.

Wong taking his oath-of-office before Hajiji

Also present were Hajiji's assistant minister, Datuk Ghulam Bahadar Khan and deputy permanent secretarty, Haji Ahmadshah Talib.

Wong signing his acceptance of appointment

Wong, who has been the General Manager of the Sabah State Railway Department for the past 2 years, replaced MPS president Yeo Boon Hai who has been appointed the new Director-General of the Kota Kinabalu Municipal Council (DBKK).

Ismail taking his oath-of-office before Hajiji

It is a promotion for both Wong and Yeo.

Hajiji is the minister-in-charge of all the local authorities in Sabah including municipal and district councils and the Kudat Town Board but excluding DBKK which is under the Chief Minister's Department.

Ismail signing his oath-of-office before Hajiji

At the same ceremony, Ismail Hj Mayakob was appointed acting President of the Tawau Municipal Council. Both Sandakan and Tawau are on the East Coast of Sabah.

Ismail taking his Akujanji (Pledge)

He took over from Haji Salsidu Ibrahim who is now the Director of the State Government Printing Department. Ismail has been Salsidu's deputy before this.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Hajiji advised the two new presidents to work hard and be people-friendly. He urged them to identify the urgent problems without neglecting the basics like cleanliness and garbage collection.

A group photograph with the two new Presidents

Congratulating the two gentlemen on their appointment, he however expressed confidence that they with their vast experience would be able to meet the people and government's expectations.

The 2 new Presidents - Ismail (left) and Wong